The Millennium Aristocratic Family Bows Its Head

In the depths of winter, snowflakes fall.

Under the cover of night, the Cui Residence was warm and spring-like despite the frigid weather, with swaying silver bamboo groves and rippling blue lakes. Yet, the Cui Household members still felt a bone-chilling cold, and the entire household was tense and heavy-hearted.

The appearance of a Sixth Realm Ancestor, who is standing up for a former "Abandoned Son" and personally visiting this small Blessed Land, is enough to make anyone tremble with fear.

Inside the main hall, the high-ranking members of the Cui Residence were on tenterhooks. What was this man up to, calling out the clan's Old Ancestor right from the start?

They were intensely uneasy, their hearts pounding. Was Lu Zizai about to uproot the Cui Household, destroying a Millennium Aristocratic Family?

"Cui Geng is putting on airs," Lu Zizai said, having waited for a long time without seeing the Cui Family Old Ancestor appear.

The senior members of the Cui Household wore solemn expressions, secretly wondering if he really intended to "slay his ancestor."

Cui Changqing spoke up, "Ancestor Lu, please try the ' Thorough Enlightenment ' spiritual tea from Flying Peak first. Please wait patiently; we have already sent someone to the Old Ancestor's Quiet Room to invite someone."

He was a core member of the Cui Household, the second oldest among his peers. Although he was over a hundred years old, he did not look old. He had long, flowing green hair and had mastered the "Abiding World Scripture" to an extremely high level.

This reception hall is not exactly magnificent or ornate; on the contrary, it is rather old and has a sense of history, like the tea table, which is carved from gray rock.

However, this is where the Cui Household entertains their most distinguished guests.

Inside the main hall, everything from the tea table to the stone chairs were old objects unearthed from the Grotto-Heaven Ruins that had fallen to the ground. Despite the passage of time, they still retain a faint Daoist charm.

Throughout the main hall, the various objects do not appear luxurious, but they all have a significant history and embody a return to simplicity.

Qin Ming sat quietly behind a stone table, looking at the black teacup in front of him. Inside, there were silver stars, like a deep night sky, and a faint shadow of True Dragon was swimming in the fragrant light green tea soup, appearing and disappearing, lifelike and very mysterious.

These are still artifacts unearthed from the Grotto-Heaven Ruins.

Even though Qin Ming was once considered a direct descendant of the Cui Household, he had only heard of the "Thorough Enlightenment" spiritual tea from Flying Peak and the tea set in front of him.

He was treated with far more hospitality than was expected.

Mother Cui began, "My child, you've suffered these past three years. It's truly heartbreaking for me, but I have some difficulties I'd like to discuss with you."

Time had left few traces on her face; her skin was fair, and she looked to be only in her early thirties. Dressed in a palace gown, she was elegant and noble, her hair styled in a high bun with a flowing golden feather as a hairpin, and her face held a sincere expression.

Qin Ming did not respond. His senses were incredibly sharp at the moment, and he could not actually feel any warmth on her beautiful and kind face.

Even when she smiled, there was no warmth in it.

Seeing that he remained silent and ignored his Mother Cui, Father Cui looked over. He was as serious and rigid as ever, exuding the authority of a patriarch.

He is the visible power holder in the Cui Household in the secular world, and he exudes a strong aura in every gesture.

Qin Ming turned his head and looked at him with a calm expression. His eyes were clear as spring water, showing no trace of the filial piety he once had. Instead, he exuded composure, confidence, and tranquility.

"Cui Geng!" Lu Zizai uttered those two words again.

In fact, he knew that Cui Geng had left long ago, probably the day before he approached this area.

After breaking through his cultivation barrier, the Supreme Grandmaster's senses became extraordinary. Just now, with a slight sweep of his Light of the Mind, he detected the "lingering echo" left by Cui Geng in the Quiet Room.

Lu Zizai to see Cui Geng was merely a way to put pressure on the Cui Household.

Especially at this moment, after he uttered those two words, many people felt as if they had been struck by a sledgehammer. For example, Father Cui turned pale instantly, gripped the armrest of the stone chair tightly, and stopped looking at Qin Ming.

"Our Old Ancestor is not in the Quiet Room. He has most likely gone to the Ancestral Land or is already traveling far away," a young man from the Cui Household family's direct lineage reported upon his return.

With the Cui Household's Ancestor absent, the clan's higher-ups breathed a sigh of relief. Such a formidable force was best kept hidden, never brought to the forefront, to maintain the respect of their opponents.

For example, if Lu Zizai dares to wipe out the Cui Household's forces in this small Blessed Land, then the Cui Family Old Ancestor can retaliate in kind and kill the disciples and followers of the Six Royals Ancestral Court in the future.

Lu Zizai said, "Cui Geng was said to have the talent of Ancient Sage when he was young. However, after advancing to the Grandmaster Domain, he struggled to break through the barrier despite the passage of time. A year before dealing with the Nomadic Hunting Civilization, he finally felt a breakthrough. His ability to avoid Heavenly Gate and seek good fortune in his old age is truly extraordinary."

He suspected that the other party had foreseen a specific historical cycle and understood years ago that they would engage in a bloody battle with the Nomadic Hunting Civilization and the Demon Civilization.

The high-ranking members of the Cui Household were all expressionless. If anyone else had dared to speak like that, they would have already turned hostile. How many people would dare to ridicule or slander the Cui Household's Old Ancestor?

Cui Changqing said, "This time, our Cui Household lost many members on the Western Territory Battlefield. Our Old Ancestor Heavenly Gate has indeed been preparing for this for a year, and all the Ancestor have given their approval, making him one of the high-end combat forces guarding the rear."

"Cui Geng, a blessed man." Lu Zizai didn't Say More.

He looked at Father Cui and said, "Tell me, what became of Qin Ming's grandfather?"

The senior members of the Cui Household present all had solemn expressions. Lu Zizai actually taking such personal action for Qin Ming's sake, which showed that the two were very close.

Father Cui was tall and imposing, with profound Daoist cultivation. He usually controlled the secular affairs of the Cui Household, but now, facing Grandmaster Level expert, he was unable to maintain his dignity.

He calmly and honestly told us that although he had met the old man, he ultimately did not know where the old man had actually settled, and only mentioned a few place names.

These cities and ancient towns are consistent with what Uncle Cui Qi said.

"He went far away with the traveling merchants," Father Cui added.

Lu Zizai said, "I want to see a portion of your Consciousness Spirit Light if anyone witnessed the Entire Process event. Don't worry, I won't pry into your secrets, nor will I harm your spiritual essence."

"This..." Some people's expressions changed.

Some members of the Cui Household looked grim, but under immense pressure, they ultimately agreed without batting an eye.

Father Cui was relieved. Although he had met Qin Ming's grandfather, as the head of the Cui Household, he did not follow up on the Entire Process matter.

Finally, two elderly people stepped forward and opened up their Spirit Domain.

After reading it, Lu Zizai nodded to Qin Ming. The Cui Household hadn't resorted to Black Hand to silence him, and there were no bloody scenes.

Qin Ming breathed a sigh of relief.

"Child..." Mother Cui spoke again.

Lu Zizai looked at her coldly and said, "From now on, your relationship with Qin Ming is severed. Don't try to morally blackmail him with the feelings that never existed in the past. He's always been cold and heartless, devoid of any kinship. Stop pretending to be affectionate and acting like a loving mother."

Mother Cui said, "For the past three years, I have really missed him. Even though he is not my biological child, we have been together for ten years. How could I not have any feelings for him?"

"There are some things I don't want to say a second time. You... step back!" Lu Zizai looked at her calmly.

Then, Mother Cui was lifted into the air, flew backward, rushed out of the window, crossed five courtyards, and finally fell to the ground.

Many members of the Cui Household harbored anger, but they couldn't express it and could only suppress it.

Lu Zizai stared at Father Cui, scrutinizing him, and said, "And you, stop putting on that stern father face. From now on, Qin Ming has nothing to do with you."

Father Cui's face was grim, but in the end he could only grit his teeth and nod.

Then, Lu Zizai spoke again, saying, "Where is Qin Ming's silk Silk Scripture? Bring it here!"

For a moment, the hall fell silent, for the book was on the Cui Family Old Ancestor, who had been studying it for many years and was still reading it.

"You mean, Cui Geng took it away?" Lu Zizai's face darkened.

He now appears as a handsome young man of about eighteen, but he is terrifying. As the faint Heavenly Light of dawn spreads, the entire mansion is illuminated, as if the Solar Yang is about to rise and ignite this small Blessed Land.

An elderly man from the Cui Household, who was in his early twenties, quickly spoke up, saying, "It is indeed true; our Old Ancestor was studying it."

Lu Zizai said in a deep voice, "Then let's retrieve the <Abiding World Scripture> and give it to Qin Ming to read."

This is a world-renowned secret manual with several versions, but the Cui Household's version is the best. After mastering it to the highest level, one can extend their lifespan by half a lifetime!

"Alright!" Cui Changqing nodded.

Lu Zizai added, "What I want is the secret manual, not the one that the Cui Household can give away as gifts."

"No!" an elder of the Cui Household objected, quite agitated.

Lu Zizai said in a deep voice, "Are you objecting?"

"The Cui Household said that the secret chapters of the <Abiding World Scripture> must not be made public..." The old man was unwilling to compromise.

In fact, very few people outside the community know that the Abiding World Scripture also has a secret chapter.

Lu Zizai's face turned cold as he said, "You've been studying the Qin Household's Silk Book Method for over a decade, and now Qin Ming wants to see the Cui Household's <The Abiding World Scripture>, and you won't allow it? Do you really think I've been in such a good mood ever since I arrived here?"

With a soft "poof," the old man was torn to pieces in the main hall, and then burned to ashes in the blinding Heavenly Light, his body and soul vanishing in an instant.

The Cui Household's senior members were shocked, and cold sweat broke out on their foreheads. The person in front of them was a Grandmaster Level figure, whose authority was indeed not to be trifled with.

Then, the old man, who was over two hundred years old, immediately nodded and ordered someone to fetch the secret scriptures.

Qin Ming didn't stand on ceremony. He took the yellowed ancient book and flipped through it in front of everyone. This secret manual, which was famous throughout Night Prefecture, held no secrets for him anymore.

He then handed it to Lu Zizai, who glanced through it before tossing it to an elder of the Cui Household family.

"The Silk Scripture is the only thing my grandfather left me, and I must get it back," Qin Ming said in the main hall.

The others remained silent, but Father Cui looked at him coldly, as serious and rigid as ever.

With a loud crash, he was sent flying backward, smashing through the palace door and falling dozens of meters away.

Lu Zizai said, "I've said it before, you two have nothing to do with each other anymore. Don't squander the last bit of 'warmth,' preserve some dignity."

He and Qin Ming then left directly.

"Tell Cui Geng to return the Silk Scripture as soon as possible." These were Lu Zizai's last words before he left.

No matter how the Cui Household tried to conceal it, the news still leaked that day. Although it didn't spread widely, the latest information was placed on the desks of various organizations.

Various rumors and gossip gradually began to circulate.

Lu Zizai accompanied Qin Ming, braving the wind and snow, and went straight to the Cui Household's Ancestral Land, intending to block Cui Geng.

However, they came up empty-handed again; the Cui Family Old Ancestor was not there.

In this Blessed Land lived a group of very old men from the Cui Household. Even they were terrified by Ancestor Lu's aura.

Qin Ming spoke up, "Senior Brother Lu, he's deliberately avoiding us now, we definitely won't find him. Let's leave this matter here."

He wasn't in a hurry to retrieve the Silk Book Method, because he already had the subsequent chapters, and they were even a refined version.

The main reason is that, ultimately, he himself needs to settle the score with the Cui Household.

Millennium Aristocratic Family is indeed a behemoth.

Their influence is extensive and has spread to various fields.

For example, the mansion presided over by Father Cui belongs to secular forces. In addition, they also have Ancestral Land, hidden lineages, forces in Beyond the Mundane, and the influence of the Esoteric Sect, etc.

It's fair to say that it's very difficult to eradicate them completely in one go.

In particular, Cui Geng's complete seclusion after becoming the Ancestor has a certain deterrent effect. If he were to retaliate without regard for his reputation, it would be quite troublesome.

Finally, Lu Zizai nodded and said, "Hmm, I see that some people within the Cui Household are still unwilling to accept this. Perhaps they are still expecting Cui Chonghe to rise to prominence, believing that he will reach the pinnacle of the Ancestral Ancestor much faster than you, and even hoping that he will become Earth Immortal or Heavenly Immortal. You should resolve your grudges with the Cui Household yourself in the future. Participating personally will bring you a greater sense of accomplishment and satisfaction."

By this time, the news was spreading, and people in the larger organizations already knew what had happened to the Cui Household.

"Hiss! Lu Zizai accompanied Qin Ming to the Cui Residence, actually forcing this Millennium Aristocratic Family to bow their heads!"

"Someone actually died in the main hall of the Cui Residence. An elder of the Cui Household exploded, his body and Divine Capital burned to ashes by the Six Royal Force."

Many people were astonished and deeply shaken.

Cui Chonghe, residing in Beyond the Mundane Pure Land, was so enraged upon hearing the details of his Lineage that he slapped a sheer cliff, shattering it and losing his usual Near-Immortal demeanor.

Afterwards, he went to Seeing Oneself master, Sun Taichu.

In the distance, deep within the dark night fog, a group of humans hurried along, led by an old man who seemed to know the way well, heading towards Night Prefecture.

"The Mist Gate is a bit unreliable; after we stepped out, we've strayed so far from our destination," someone complained.

"It'll be soon, it's not that far away."

"Leaving home young, returning old..." someone murmured to themselves, as if filled with endless emotions.