Nan Xunran cupped his hands in salute. "Fourth Elder, congratulations on coming out of seclusion."
Nan Yue's smile blossomed like a flower. She reached out a delicate hand to pinch Nan Xunran's cheek and said affectionately, "Good, good, good! It's been so long since I've seen our Xiao-Ran. Did you miss your big sister?"
Nan Xunran turned slightly to dodge her. Nan Yue waved her hand lightly and said with a smile, "All right, all right, let's not wait. The sixth and seventh elders still haven't come out of seclusion."
Nan Xunran's expression was calm. He nodded slightly, then slowly sat down in the main seat. "Elders, I wish to build a training ground where disciples from the main and branch families can compete, so we can select the Nan Clan's chosen."
He paused briefly, then continued, "Today, I found many geniuses in the branch families who are no less talented than those in the main family.
"The Nan Clan's development cannot be confined to the main family alone.
"A training ground like this can give disciples from the main and branch families equal opportunities to compete, allowing them to fully demonstrate their strength and talent. What do you think, elders?"
The council hall fell silent. The elders all sank into thought, carefully considering whether Nan Xunran's idea was feasible.
At last, the First Elder asked, "Has the clan head agreed to this?"
Nan Xunran nodded slightly, indicating that the clan head had already given his approval.
The Fifth Elder immediately spoke up. "I agree with Ran'er. All this time, certain traditionalists in the main family have kept branch family disciples from entering the main family to cultivate. Who knows how many geniuses have been buried because of it?"
Nan Yao turned slightly, crossed her legs, and said casually, "Whatever Xiao-Ran says."
Seeing this, the Second Elder spoke as well. "Since the clan head has already agreed, Ran'er, go ahead without worry. We all support you."
Nan Yue's figure flashed as she hurried to Nan Xunran's side and put an arm around his shoulders.
Her voice was light and full of confidence. "Xiao-Ran, leave a small matter like building a training ground to me!"
"I've been cooped up at my residence for so long. This is the perfect chance to stretch my muscles and bones."
Nan Yao propped her chin in one hand and tilted her head slightly. "Where should the training ground be built?" she asked lazily.
For a moment, the atmosphere seemed to freeze, and everyone sank into brief contemplation.
A moment later, the Second Elder broke the silence. "Hmm... I think we could open up an entirely new, separate space.
"The Fourth Elder's innate divine ability can turn illusions into reality, and with the Lian Clan's special affinity for the land, this should be quite easy."
"I agree," the Fifth Elder chimed in.
Nan Yue possessed a unique innate divine ability: she could transform illusions into things that truly existed.
All the illusions she cast could become real scenes, but they had to be anchored to something real.
The place where Nan Yue now lived had been conjured through an illusion.
Because the residence covered an enormous area, the Lian Clan had once mobilized many disciples and expended a great deal of effort to open up a separate tract of land specifically for her to cast her illusion.
The Lian Clan was a subordinate force of the Nan Clan, and its disciples could control soil, rock, and the power of earth veins.
"All right, I'll go to the Lian Clan first," Nan Yue said, nodding in agreement.
Hearing this, the First Elder immediately gave an order. "Send disciples with the Fourth Elder to the Lian Clan at once. Explain the reason and have the Lian Clan send someone to the main family."
His voice was steady and forceful. "Make the arrangements quickly."
The attendant behind him immediately accepted the order. His figure flashed, and he hurried away.
Nan Xunran nodded slightly. "All right. Fourth Elder, sorry to trouble you with this."
He cupped his hands in salute. "The matter of the training ground has been settled. Elders, if you have no other business, you may leave."
When he finished speaking, Nan Yue had already set off for the Lian Clan, and the other elders departed one after another.
"Xiao-Ran, come find me if you need anything~" Nan Yao winked playfully at Nan Xunran, then stepped into the void and vanished.
Only the First Elder remained where he stood.
Nan Xunran looked at the First Elder calmly and spoke in a measured voice. "First Elder, is there something else?"
The First Elder looked at Nan Xunran. "Ran'er, have you heard that when you first came into this world, an omen appeared in the heavens, and the Thirteenth Ancestor emerged from the ancestral grounds, wishing to protect your Dao?"
Nan Xunran nodded slightly. "I have heard Father speak of it."
The First Elder nodded gently and continued, "After you returned from the lower realm, I went to the ancestral grounds and asked the Thirteenth Ancestor whether he would be willing to protect your Dao."
A faint look of satisfaction appeared on the First Elder's face, and he spoke steadily. "The Thirteenth Ancestor has agreed. He heard that you will return to the Holy Land tomorrow to cultivate. From then on, he will remain behind you and protect your Dao until you surpass him."
Hearing this, Nan Xunran's lips curved slightly into a faint smile.
Then he bowed to the First Elder and said slowly, "Xunran understands. Thank you, First Elder."
Looking at the humble and courteous Nan Xunran before him, the First Elder smiled with satisfaction.
He walked forward steadily, then reached out and patted Nan Xunran gently on the shoulder. Wearing a warm smile, he said slowly, "Ran'er, you have to hurry back to the Holy Land tomorrow. Go back and rest."
Nan Xunran nodded slightly. After acknowledging him, he turned and left.
It's time to go see Nanyang, Nan Xunran thought. I had intended to let him live a little longer, but unfortunately, I have business that requires me to hurry back to the Holy Land. In that case, I'll just kill him.
Discipline Hall
A figure approached slowly. Once everyone saw who it was, they shouted in unison, "Lord Divine Son!"
Their voices were unified and loud, echoing through the air.
Nan Xunran raised a hand slightly, signaling for them to dispense with the formalities.
Then he looked at the guards and asked in a measured voice, "Has the Second Attendant been here today?"
Almost the instant his voice fell, a figure suddenly appeared like a ghost. Once the guards saw who it was, they immediately called out in unison, "Hall Master!"
The hall master hurried over to Nan Xunran and said respectfully, "Lord Divine Son, the Second Attendant did indeed come by today."
Nan Xunran's expression did not change in the slightest. He simply continued calmly, "Where is the person he brought?"
The hall master hastily replied, "In the dungeon."
Nan Xunran nodded slightly and said simply, "Lead the way."
The two then headed toward the dungeon.
Dungeon
The hall master tactfully withdrew of his own accord, and Nan Xunran's gaze slowly settled on Nanyang.
Nan Xunran stood quietly where he was, his gaze fixed steadily on Nanyang, who was bound tightly in iron chains.
There was no fluctuation in his eyes as he simply gazed at Nanyang in silence, as though examining an object.
Under that gaze, Nanyang, bound in iron chains, appeared somewhat ill at ease, yet he forced himself to look arrogant.