"Today, because I trust you, I did not hide it from you."

"In the entire Divine Blade Sect, you are the only person who knows my secret. Even Master Sylra and Aya know absolutely nothing about this."

"Therefore, when I return to the Divine Blade Sect, if a third person finds out my identity, it will be one hundred percent leaked by you."

"What the consequences will be, I do not need to say more, right?"

The oppressive aura of the peak Supreme Realm burst forth from Alex’s body, directly intimidating Nerin, a mere Seventh Level Mahayana Realm small fry, so badly that every hair on his body stood on end.

He gulped down saliva, nodded slightly, and said hoarsely. "Understood, understood... Saint Lord Alex, please rest assured. This subordinate will definitely keep his mouth shut tight like a sealed bottle and absolutely will not tell anyone about this matter!"

"Mhm, that is good." Alex smiled in satisfaction and nodded. "Seeing you standing on this stage looking so unusually constrained, you should just go back down."

"Remember, regarding today’s matter: Heaven knows, Earth knows, you know, and I know."

Nerin nodded, immediately not saying a single word. Under the bewildered gazes of the crowd, he silently walked down from the stage and returned to his original seat.

He suddenly remembered that in the past, Master Sylra often hung the phrase "ignorance is bliss" on his lips.

He also said things like the less you know, the better you sleep, and the more you know, the more troubles you have.

Back then, Nerin did not understand this saying and even scoffed at it, thinking it was the words of the mediocre and incompetent.

But at this very moment, he truly, from the bottom of his heart, understood the meaning of Venerable Sylra’s words.

If possible, Nerin truly wished he had never come to the Hale family Holy Land. Or that as soon as he stepped out, he would be attacked by some expert and instantly lose his memory on the spot.

Because carrying such a terrifying secret was no different from carrying a lit bundle of dynamite. Nerin would rather spend his entire life never having the chance to speak a single word to the Hale family Saint Lord than learn of his identity under these circumstances.

Looking at Nerin offstage, whose face was deathly pale and ashen like dead ashes, Alex smiled in satisfaction and nodded.

After being discovered by Nerin, he could have actually walked in a circle, left his line of sight, and then transformed back into his true appearance.

However, after considering it, Alex chose to save himself the trouble.

After all, the person who came today was not the Divine Blade Sect Master Magnus, but merely a trivial Nerin. And this Nerin was cautious by nature and timid as a mouse. It was absolutely impossible for him to reveal his identity and bring a fatal disaster upon himself.

Another reason was that keeping such a secret entirely in his own stomach all the time made Alex feel somewhat stifled.

Right now, within the entire Divine Blade Sect, there was finally a second person who knew his identity.

This alleviated his stifled feeling significantly. Of course, as for how much pressure Nerin’s fragile little mind had to bear, that was none of his business.

Immediately, seeing that all the guests had arrived, Alex ordered the juniors to distribute incense candles to everyone individually.

This was so that after the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony began, the various factions could take turns going on stage to offer incense.

When others received their incense, they were all overwhelmingly flattered, standing up to express their thanks.

Only the two tables sitting in the frontmost second row, Kaia and Aelin, revealed looks of displeasure.

Before coming here, they had done their homework and had a slight understanding of the procedures for the Hale family’s ceremony.

The Hale family placed extreme importance on the high and low status and seniority of identities.

First was the seating arrangement. The higher a person’s status, the closer to the front they sat.

When they initially learned they were assigned to the second row, both Kaia and Aelin felt very uncomfortable.

But soon after, realizing that the other party had also been assigned to the second row, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It was just that a trace of curiosity sprouted in their hearts. Who were the seats in the very front first row prepared for? At today’s ceremony, who could have a more distinguished status than the two of them?

Could it be the Old Royal Uncle of the Crimson Soaring Dynasty, Sylas? That was not right.

That old man’s congratulatory gifts were far too casual, and he was clearly assigned to the third row.

Aside from the seating arrangement, the ceremony had another important segment that determined status, that was offering incense.

Normally speaking, the majority of families attending would receive a stick of White Sandalwood Incense.

And only the guest with the most distinguished status could receive the singular stick of Heavenly Jade Purple Emperor Incense.

Aelin and Kaia were both nervously guessing who this year’s stick of Heavenly Jade Purple Emperor Incense would belong to.

As a result, what was handed to them were both exceedingly ordinary sticks of White Sandalwood Incense.

Aelin instantly had a look of massive displeasure on his face. "Is this Saint Lord Alex not being a bit too dismissive? I rushed here from far away in the White Feather Dynasty, representing the entire Feather Imperial Family to support his minor family."

"Yet he is so neglectful, not even willing to let me offer a single stick of Heavenly Jade Purple Emperor Incense! Could it be that among those present today, there is someone with a more distinguished status than this Prince?"

Beside him, Kaia Star sneered coldly. "Fourth Prince, are you not putting a bit too much gold on your own face? The congratulatory gifts brought by your White Feather Dynasty, although valuable enough in price, fundamentally lack sincerity."

"How high are Saint Lord Alex’s standards? How could mere gold, silver, and treasures move his heart? Before the grand ceremony began, I fear Saint Lord Alex did not even meet you privately, did he?"

Hearing these words, Aelin’s expression instantly changed. Kaia’s words had truly poked right at his sore spot.