“Alright, I’ll go back and adjust my state right away. Tomorrow I have to perform exceptionally well and win the favor of the elders. Maybe, just like big brother, I’ll become a key figure for the family to nurture.”

　　Eric Young declared with absolute confidence.

　　After speaking, younger brother Eric Young hurriedly left. He also had his own separate courtyard, right near his brother’s.

　　After bidding farewell to his brother, Brian Young held the mysterious ring in his palm, feeling both anxious and expectant:

　　“This ring came from beyond the heavens. Most likely, it was left behind during a battle between great cultivators, or perhaps it’s even a relic of a legendary immortal. No matter which it is, it could bring me tremendous opportunity…”

　　Brian Young was more excited than ever before, his body trembling slightly.

　　“All of you, leave. I need to meditate alone tonight to prepare for tomorrow’s ‘Heaven Inquiry Assembly.’”

　　With a cold expression, Brian Young dismissed all the servants and maids from the courtyard, then entered his own room and sat cross-legged.

　　Immediately, something else occurred to him, and he quickly set up several layers of wards around the room to prevent anyone from spying.

　　After finishing all this, he let out a soft breath, opened his palm to reveal the silver ring, his eyes filled with anticipation, and murmured, “I hope you won’t let me down…”

Chapter 002: The Mysterious Ring

　　This was a ring that looked quite ordinary. Its surface was silvery-gray, covered with some simple patterns, and its size and weight were about the same as a regular ring.

　　If he had obtained this ring under normal circumstances, Brian Young probably wouldn’t have given it a second glance. Even if he held it in his hand, he would have tossed it aside without a thought.

　　But… this seemingly ordinary ring actually came from beyond the nine heavens!

　　“This ring is so well concealed—there must be some earth-shattering secret within.”

　　Suppressing his excitement, Brian Young focused his attention and began to carefully examine the ring.

　　However, after half a day of probing, Brian Young still couldn’t find the slightest clue.

　　“How strange… there’s nothing unusual about this ring.”

　　Brian Young clearly knew there was something extraordinary about this silver ring, but he just couldn’t find a breakthrough.

　　Weird, far too weird.

　　Brian Young calmed himself, gazing at the ring, his face thoughtful.

　　“According to ancient records, some legendary sentient treasures can recognize a master through a ‘blood contract.’ If this ring is of a high grade, it should be able to recognize a master this way, thus revealing its secrets.”

　　With this thought, Brian Young bit his index finger, drawing blood to trace several crimson lines in the air, quickly forming a strange blood-red pattern—this was the formation for a “blood contract,” usable by any cultivator above the Qi Refining stage.

　　Then, he chanted incantations, his hands moving in a blur, spiritual light flickering as the blood contract formation suddenly shone brightly.

　　At a certain moment—

　　“Seal.”

　　Brian Young’s eyes flashed with spiritual light as he uttered a light command, then extended his index finger to point at the silver ring.

　　“Go!”

　　In an instant, the blood-red formation condensed into a thumb-sized crimson mark, which, propelled by Brian Young’s finger, landed squarely on the silver ring.

　　Buzz~

　　A strange ripple spread through the air.

　　However, as soon as the blood-red mark touched the silver ring, it mysteriously vanished.

　　It disappeared into thin air, without any warning.

　　This was far too bizarre!!

　　“What… what’s going on?”

　　Brian Young was utterly astonished—this scene was completely beyond his imagination.

　　Judging by the signs, the blood contract had failed.

　　If it had succeeded, or even had some effect, Brian Young would at least have sensed some connection with the ring.

　　Failure!

　　Brian Young let out a light breath, but did not give up. Instead, he felt the ring was even more mysterious.

　　“Maybe I should test the material of this ring…”

　　Brian Young muttered, applying some force to the ring.

　　Crack!

　　The ring broke, fell to the ground, and shattered into pieces.

　　“This…”

　　Brian Young felt his heart sink.

　　The ring had actually broken.

　　How could a high-grade magical treasure be so easily damaged?

　　Even the low-grade spiritual weapon “Azure Edge Sword” that Brian Young owned could withstand a thousand pounds of force—it would never be damaged so easily.

　　“Forget it… maybe it really is just an ordinary ring.”

　　After a long while, Brian Young let out a long sigh, his face full of disappointment.

　　Buzz~~

　　Suddenly, all the fragments on the ground fused together, re-forming the ring Brian Young had seen before.

　　Moreover, the ring suddenly shot up from the ground, floating in front of Brian Young, spinning rapidly before him.

　　Brian Young was slightly startled, watching the ring warily, and couldn’t help but ask, “What exactly is your purpose?”

　　Whoosh!

　　The ring turned into a blurry afterimage and slipped onto the middle finger of Brian Young’s right hand.

　　Immediately, the ring flashed with multicolored light, and Brian Young felt himself entering a mysterious and unfathomable space.

　　……

　　He found himself in a strange space, surrounded by endless crimson-black earth, exuding a terrifying aura of death and destruction.

　　Only the patch of green beneath his feet was normal land, covered in lush, vibrant grass, full of vitality and brimming with life.