"Discard the dross, preserve the essence, huh?"
"Cultivation truly isn’t easy," Yun Yanshui muttered as he drained the last of the rich broth from his bowl, letting out a satisfied burp.
"I heard Wang Liyuan managed to return to the Wang family alive from the Dan Ding Sect ruins?"
Placing the empty bowl aside, Yun Yanshui asked casually.
"Yes. Somehow, he persuaded the six clans that originally wanted to deal with him to escort him safely back to the Wang family’s ancestral land.
Even the spiritual root heirs of the Three Great Families—Ye Xiaolin, Lin Tiansheng, and Lu Shanglin—didn’t dare make a move against him," Yun Yanshuang explained.
"Hmph, he got off easy," Yun Yanshui snorted coldly.
"Why are you suddenly asking about him, Brother?"
"It’s nothing. I overheard some elders mentioning that the six clans recently paid a visit to the Wang family, likely to investigate whether Wang Liyuan really destroyed the Dan Ding Sect’s treasure, the Wan Dan Furnace."
Yun Yanshui replied, his tone calm but sharp.
"Wait... but the Wan Dan Furnace isn’t..."
Yun Yanshuang froze mid-sentence, catching herself before revealing too much.
"It seems Wang Liyuan used some cunning tactics to force the six clans’ spiritual heirs to escort him home.
That guy is crafty—definitely not someone to be underestimated."
Narrowing his eyes, Yun Yanshui felt a growing sense of unease. Wang Liyuan’s talent, luck, and resourcefulness made him a formidable potential threat to the Yun family’s ambitions.
"A person like Wang Liyuan—talented, strategic, and capable—is bound to achieve greatness wherever he goes.
He’s undoubtedly spread the story of destroying the Wan Dan Furnace to avoid being targeted.
However, I’m certain he knows the furnace wasn’t destroyed.
If the Wang family discovers the truth and traces it back to us, they’ll try to eliminate me and take the furnace for themselves.
This way, only the Wang family will know the secret of the Wan Dan Furnace’s whereabouts," Yun Yanshui said, his tone grave.
What was meant to be a trap to turn Wang Liyuan and the Wang family into targets had instead been masterfully deflected. Wang Liyuan’s clever ploy had transformed the situation, shielding his family from harm.
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"What should we do then?"
Yun Yanshuang’s face grew pale. If the Wang family uncovered her brother’s involvement, it would spell disaster for the Yun family.
"Relax. I didn’t leave any loose ends. Wang Liyuan could spend his entire life trying to find me and still fail.
As long as we keep the Wan Dan Furnace’s existence a secret, the family will remain safe," Yun Yanshui reassured her with a faint smile.
"Alright," Yun Yanshuang nodded solemnly, though the thought of the furnace in her storage bag made her feel increasingly uneasy.
"By the way, I’ve noticed Yan Tian visiting lately to ask for Golden-Eyed Beast droppings. What’s that about?"
Breaking the tense silence, Yun Yanshui changed the subject, glancing at the overcast sky.
"Yan Tian plans to use the beast’s droppings to make a spiritual liquid that promotes the growth of Purple Jade Bamboo and other spiritual plants," she explained.
"Ah, I see."
Yun Yanshui nodded in understanding. "That’s actually a good thing. With Yan Tian handling it, I can finally stop dealing with this mutt’s droppings. It’s been making me reek of filth!"
"Ew, Brother! That’s disgusting—I’m still eating!"
"Whoops, my bad!"
Lying on the ground nearby, the Golden-Eyed Beast cracked one eye open and shot Yun Yanshui a scornful look. Were it not for the difference in strength, it would have swiped at him a few times to vent its frustration.
Filthy? it seemed to grumble. I handle my business in the designated spot. Who asked you to interfere?
"Your Majesty, the Grand Patriarch requests your presence."
An elderly eunuch, clutching a duster, scurried toward a middle-aged man dressed in dragon robes, who was leisurely fishing by a tranquil lake.
The man, Bai Li Xi, was the current emperor of Yue Country—and a Qi Refining cultivator.
"I understand. You may leave," Bai Li Xi said with a wave of his hand, dismissing the eunuch.
As the eunuch retreated, the emperor’s line tugged. With a practiced motion, he reeled in a vibrant dragon carp.
Standing nearby, Li Qing, a royal advisor and cultivator, stepped forward to unhook the fish and place it into a gilded basket.
"The Grand Patriarch loves fish, and this dragon carp looks splendid. Let’s bring it along as a gift for him," Bai Li Xi remarked with a light chuckle.
Rising to his feet, he dusted off his robes before handing his jade fishing rod to a young eunuch.
"Li Immortal, join me in meeting the Grand Patriarch."
"The Grand Patriarch summoned Your Majesty for an important matter. For me to accompany you... would that not be inappropriate?" Li Qing hesitated.
"Don’t worry. Among all the court’s cultivators, you are the one both the Grand Patriarch and I trust most."
"If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t have invited them—but you are an exception," Bai Li Xi said with a warm smile, his tone revealing his deep trust and admiration for Li Qing.
Over the years, Li Qing had served diligently, managing countless tasks with precision and care. Recently, he had worked tirelessly to mediate between the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans, averting the outbreak of a devastating war. Without his efforts, Yue Country would have faced untold chaos, leaving the nation vulnerable to external threats and internal strife.
"In that case, I shall accompany Your Majesty to meet the Grand Patriarch," Li Qing replied, deeply honored by the emperor’s confidence.
Taihe Palace stood at the heart of the imperial capital, an imposing structure surrounded by an aura of solitude.
No guards patrolled its vicinity, yet everyone in the palace knew it was a forbidden zone. Those who dared trespass would face swift retribution from the royal enforcers stationed in the shadows—powerful cultivators loyal only to the throne.
Bai Li Xi, accompanied by Li Qing, arrived at the hall and pushed open its heavy wooden doors.
Inside the vast and empty space, a white-haired elder sat cross-legged on a cushion in the center, meditating in silence. Dressed in simple robes, his face bore a striking resemblance to Bai Li Xi, though time had left it heavily wrinkled, like weathered bark. His aura was faint, a clear sign that his life force was nearing its end.
This was Bai Li Qingsun, the Grand Patriarch of Yue’s royal family, who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage over a century ago. Revered as the strongest cultivator in Yue, his presence alone had kept the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans at bay for decades.
"Grandson greets the Grand Patriarch," Bai Li Xi said, bowing respectfully as he approached.
Looking at the frail figure of his ancestor, Bai Li Xi felt a pang of sorrow. He owed his stability on the throne to this man. Without the Grand Patriarch, the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans would have torn the empire apart in their power struggles, plunging Yue into chaos.
"Sit," Bai Li Qingsun said with a faint smile, gesturing for his grandson and Li Qing to take their seats.
Seeing no proper chairs or cushions in the vast hall, Bai Li Xi and Li Qing simply sat on the cold marble floor without complaint.
"Grandson caught a fine dragon carp today in the imperial garden. Knowing how much you love fish, I’ll have the royal kitchen prepare a steamed dish for you later," Bai Li Xi said, his tone warm.
"Haha! You’re thoughtful as ever," Bai Li Qingsun replied, visibly pleased.
"Now, the reason I summoned you here," he continued, "is to inform you that my time is running out. It’s time you prepared for what lies ahead."
"Grand Patriarch, please rest assured," Bai Li Xi said, his voice steady. "In recent years, thanks to Li Immortal’s efforts, we’ve identified a promising family that could safeguard Yue’s future. With their support, the empire will stand strong for generations to come."
"Oh? Which family?" Bai Li Qingsun asked, his interest piqued.
"Yuncang Yun Clan," Bai Li Xi replied with a faint smile.
"Tell me more."
Bai Li Qingsun’s curiosity deepened. Confined to Taihe Palace for years, he relied on his grandson for updates on the world beyond the capital.
"According to Li Immortal’s observations, the Yuncang Yun Clan is blessed with great fortune. In just a few short years, they have risen to prominence, establishing themselves as a powerhouse.
Moreover, there is reportedly a mysterious figure backing the Yun Clan—a high master whose abilities surpass even yours, Grand Patriarch," Bai Li Xi explained, his tone measured.
"Such a person exists?"
Bai Li Qingsun’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
For over a century, he had been revered as the strongest cultivator in Yue. It was his presence that deterred the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans from challenging the royal family’s authority.
But his failed attempt to break through had left his foundation damaged, his vitality waning with each passing day. This had emboldened the clans to defy the throne.
If the Yun Clan truly had the support of such a powerful figure, aligning with them could restore balance and safeguard the royal family’s legacy.
Still...
"What of the Yun Clan’s character? How do they compare to the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans in their conduct?"