The Yuan Family Enters the Game

Xu Mingxi gave Third Elder's name and was escorted inside. At last, he met the "good brother" and "good friend" Third Elder had spoken of—Yuan Ting.

The man before him had long black hair, features so androgynous they were hard to distinguish, and even his voice was clear and melodious. He warmly took Xu Mingxi by the hand and had him sit down.

"I didn't expect Hao to have such a handsome junior. Go on, then. What can my Yuan Family help you with?"

When they were young, Yuan Ting and Third Elder Xu Chunhao had once traveled the continent together for a very long time.

The two shared a deep personal friendship, and Yuan Ting also knew that the other man came from a great reclusive sect. After so many years apart, the letter he had sent even stated that he had already broken through to Soul Douluo.

He understood what Xu Chunhao meant. It was just that the Continental Situation had become so chaotic—were even reclusive sects finally unable to hold back?

"Grandpa Yuan, I wonder if you know a place called Awakening Cloud Ravine."

Naturally, Yuan Ting knew of it, and he knew it very well. This had been a hot topic among the upper ranks of East Peak City lately.

On Douluo Continent, there was no such thing as a wall that did not leak wind. Once there were too many people, tongues would wag.

The Adventure Team formed by the Chen brothers had more than a dozen people in it, and not every single one of them could keep a secret.

But Xu Mingxi had only just arrived, yet he had actually integrated into East Peak City this quickly. Even Yuan Ting had to praise him as a social butterfly.

"Looks like Grandpa Yuan does know. I came this time first to visit you on behalf of my elders, and second to invite the Yuan Family to join this Adventure Team."

When Yuan Ting heard that, he was so angry he almost laughed. The neutral position he had painstakingly maintained—this boy thought he could destroy it with a single sentence?

No matter how good his relationship with Xu Chunhao was, as the family head, he would not drag his family into the water.

"It's just one adventure. My Yuan Family won't be participating."

"Grandpa Yuan, the Mo Family already made a move against the Chen Family Head's daughter. If they win, how do you think they'll treat the Yuan Family?"

Although Xu Mingxi did not actually know who had attacked Chen Qinghuang, making things up was no shame.

Even if it had not been them, as long as they could not open their mouths, then it had to have been them.

Yuan Ting frowned. He knew about the Chen Family's youngest daughter being attacked.

But the Mo Family had done it? Why had he not found that out? There had not been much movement from the Chen Family's side either.

He could not prove that Xu Mingxi's words were true, but he also had no way to prove they were false.

Moreover, the Mo Family was indeed more arrogant and overbearing on ordinary days, even bullying the Yuan Family at times.

If Yuan Ting had to choose, he did indeed prefer the Chen Family a little more. It was just that balance was more beneficial to the Yuan Family.

Seeing that the Yuan Family Head was wavering, Xu Mingxi struck while the iron was hot. If he missed this chance, there might never be another.

"Grandpa Yuan, I just came out from the Adventure Team's place, and a lot of people saw me on the way to the Yuan Mansion."

Yuan Ting's face darkened. So this was how the boy wanted to play it.

"Boy, you did that on purpose. But if you think you can force my Yuan Family onto the boat with just this, you're far too naive."

A black shadow flashed through the hall, and a middle-aged man in black soul master robes appeared.

The phantom of an earth dragon emerged over his body, and eight soul rings hovered behind him. It was none other than the Yuan Family's Worship, Chen Hou.

Xu Mingxi was not the slightest bit cowed, because someone had already stepped in front of him.

The Yuan Family Head and the Worship felt the pressure radiating from the masked man before them, cold sweat pouring down their backs. Chen Hou immediately withdrew his martial soul.

The masked man vanished, but at this moment, Yuan Ting no longer dared underestimate Xu Mingxi.

"We accept your invitation. Come pick up our people the morning after tomorrow."

"Many thanks, Family Head. Star Crown Sect will never forget the Yuan Family's contribution."

Hopefully.

Yuan Ting looked at Xu Mingxi's departing figure and could only pray for his family's future.

This was how it was for the weak. They could only be manipulated by the strong. The Yuan Family was honored as one of the Five Great Families of East Peak City, but placed upon the continent, they were nothing more than slightly larger ants.

He had originally thought that while storms raged among the Upper Three Sects of the Heaven Dou Empire, over here in the Star Luo Empire, with the imperial family standing alone above all, they could have stability.

He had not expected that great sects would already have begun making moves. In this upheaval, he could only hope the Yuan Family would not be affected.

Xu Mingxi did not know what the Yuan Family Head was thinking. He was currently in his lodging, explaining things to his grandfather.

Xu Chunyi looked at the grandson before him and, for once, put on a stern face.

"Mingxi, why did you do this? The sect never taught you to get involved in the continent's disputes."

"Grandpa, the continent is in chaos, and Spirit Hall's ambitions are rampant. Only by grasping greater power can we protect ourselves in the turmoil to come."

Xu Chunyi did not know what would happen in the future, much less that the idea of unifying the continent had sprouted in Xu Mingxi's heart.

The Yuan Family was weak, and they also had ties with Star Crown Sect, so this time, the problem was not great. Moreover, using this chance to pull the Yuan Family, or even half of East Peak City's forces, onto the war chariot might not necessarily be a bad thing.

He only hoped his grandson would keep the overall interests of Star Crown Sect in mind, rather than making enemies at will.

"I will report this truthfully to the Sect Master."

With the matter ending there, the grandfather and grandson returned to normal. First Elder vanished into the shadows, and Xu Mingxi lay on the bed, beginning to reflect.

Had he truly been too impatient? But time truly waited for no one. Once Clear Sky Sect sealed its mountain, it would be Spirit Hall's world. By then, trying to maneuver the various parties would be even harder.

For an ambitious person, only a turbulent and unsettled Douluo Continent was the best Douluo Continent.

The major families of East Peak City, and even the City Lord's Mansion, all had spies outside. News that Xu Mingxi had left the Adventure Team and gone straight into the Yuan Family had long since been delivered to the desks of the leaders of every major force.

Tonight, East Peak City was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Two days later, all five members of the Adventure Team taking part in this trip to Awakening Cloud Ravine gathered at the city gate. Accompanying them were also the two Soul Saints from the two families.

They stared in shock at Yuan Qing, who was walking beside Xu Mingxi. They had not expected him to actually pull the Yuan Family in.

Yesterday, they had all learned that Xu Mingxi had gone to the Yuan Family, but paying a visit and drawing someone into the trip to Awakening Cloud Ravine were two entirely different things.

Was the Yuan Family choosing a side?

The party of nine boarded the carriage and set off for Awakening Cloud Ravine, relaxed and at ease. But the heads of the major families in the city were not so relaxed.

In the Mo family's reception hall, the Mo Family Head sat in a chair, sipping tea, while the Zhao Family Head paced back and forth anxiously at the side.

"Old Mo, stop drinking. What do you think is going on with the Yuan Family? They haven't made a move in all these years, and now they suddenly jump out."

"Don't panic. As for this matter, this Xu Mingxi is most likely some young master from a family, and his background definitely isn't simple.

From what I know of that old fox Yuan Ting, either he was offered enormous benefits, or this Xu Mingxi is someone he can't afford to offend."

The Mo Family Head had directly ordered the Assassin Group that had set out to withdraw. A mighty dragon had arrived, so what was wrong with a local snake like him giving way?

There was still a long road ahead. Besides, the City Lord's Mansion was still there. Who said their five families had to be enemies?