"Yao Tianchuan" Wreaks Havoc in Jinling's Yao Family

"Yao Tianchuan" Wreaks Havoc in Jinling's Yao Family

At those words, the entire hall fell silent.

This waterside pavilion was the Yao Family's favorite place for holding banquets. Winding corridors stretched out over the lake, with a broad, straight walkway running through the middle all the way to the heart of the lake.

Carved railings and jade-like stonework, lotus ponds and painted halls—it was exquisitely refined.

Along the surrounding corridors, singers and dancers performed while strings and pipes played sweetly. Servants carrying fine dishes hurried back and forth without pause.

The dining area lay on both sides of the central walkway, where rows of low tables had been set beside the water. The guests attending the feast sat in their places.

The Family Head, elders, and other important figures sat in the grand hall on the shoreward side of the walkway. Behind the Family Head stood a screen crafted by a famous master—one that had already been replaced.

The spot Yao Yuzhi had smashed through when Li Xingtuo came last time had long since been restored to its original state, without the slightest trace of that previous embarrassment.

Further along the corridor toward the lake's center sat the pillars of the family in order, followed by elders from each branch, and then the younger generation.

Though Yao Tianchuan's status was faintly extraordinary, his seniority was not high. The Yao Family was, after all, a millennium-old clan that placed great importance on proper succession. Thus, Xie Yuan's seat was very close to the center of the lake.

From here, one could barely make out the hall on shore. The faces of those great figures were hazy, hidden in shadow.

As Xie Yuan's voice spread across the lake, the waterside pavilion sank into silence.

The music of the strings and pipes beside them went off-key in the quiet atmosphere, then abruptly stopped.

Without musical accompaniment, the dancers' movements became disordered. Unable to advance or retreat, they silently withdrew at the steward's signal.

From behind the tables on both sides, countless gazes turned in unison toward the end of the central walkway, toward Xie Yuan.

Under everyone's gaze, Xie Yuan remained unmoved. He turned back coldly, and intangible killing intent spread outward, making those around him shift their eyes away in discomfort.

Why was this Yao Tianchuan talking like that?

Quite a few people muttered to themselves. Though Yao Tianchuan had always been proud, he had still observed the proper conduct of a junior within the clan and before his elders.

This had clearly been a harmonious family banquet to welcome him home, yet that one sentence had practically looked down on everyone present. The atmosphere immediately became awkward.

Yao Yuzhi looked toward the end of the feast. Seeing Xie Yuan's cold expression, he frowned slightly, clearly reminded of someone else.

He said slowly,

"Tian Chuan, which son of our Yao Family is not outstanding? Though you are among the finest, you should still unite with your brothers and discuss the martial path together. Do not speak such baseless words."

His words were tactful. He had considered the feelings of the other descendants while also showing tolerance toward Xie Yuan's reckless remarks, without completely stripping the family's foremost genius of face. He had covered every angle, displaying the breadth of a Family Head.

Though his tone was mild, the Family Head's authority was naturally there. Anyone with even a little sense should have taken the offered way out by now and stopped rambling on.

But anyone with sense would not have made those earlier remarks.

Xie Yuan had come today precisely to be unreasonable on Yao Tianchuan's behalf.

Unity? Unity my ass.

He had no wish to see the Yao Family united. This great clan not only harmed one region, but was deeply hostile toward both him and Situ Qin. Either there was blood-deep enmity between them, or they regarded each other as thorns in the eye and splinters in the flesh.

If they truly became united from top to bottom, bided their time, and slowly recovered their strength, then given the Yao Family's scale and foundation, things would become very troublesome.

Since he had borrowed a good identity to infiltrate the place, he could not merely borrow some resources. More importantly, he had to find a way to cause damage from within.

He did not dream of breaking apart the enormous Yao Family, but he had to create at least a little trouble.

Otherwise, would Xie Yuan really take what they offered, eat what they served, and work for the Yao Family? Would that not make him a true member of the Yao Family? That was not Xie Yuan's goal.

Facing the gazes throughout the hall, he said coldly,

"Was I wrong?"

Xie Yuan abruptly turned his head and stared at a young man beside him.

"Fifth Cousin, are you also entering the selection for this Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt?"

Seeing Xie Yuan look at him, the young man gave an ah and frowned.

"Yes."

Xie Yuan said nothing. He merely gave a scornful laugh and turned away.

Though he had said nothing, it was as though he had said everything.

The young man's face instantly flushed red.

"Yao Tianchuan, what do you mean by that?"

Xie Yuan looked at a somewhat more mature young man across from him.

"Third Brother, are you going too?"

The young man vaguely sensed what was coming. His expression darkened, and he slowly nodded.

Xie Yuan shook his head.

"The Yao Family is finished."

"What?"

"Yao Tianchuan, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"Tian Chuan, you've only just returned and may not be feeling well. Go back and rest first."

Hearing Xie Yuan speak this way, everyone's expressions changed drastically, and they immediately began shouting.

The servants nearby had gone pale, their heads bowed low.

This Eighth Young Master had only just returned and already looked ready to make trouble. They stood there watching their masters quarrel, unable to leave, afraid of hearing something they should not hear. They were caught between advancing and retreating.

Ignoring the commotion around him, Xie Yuan looked toward the true masters of the Yao Family within the hall and said calmly,

"I said the Yao Family is already finished.

"And you say I'm wrong. Then tell me, where exactly am I wrong? Such a vast Yao Family, yet its talent has withered away until only these few pieces of trash remain.

"Yao Tianhong and Yao Tianming both want to take part in the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt? Can they even go? They do not have the ability, understand?

"With people like these competing against me, what is it if not laughable?"

When they heard him openly call people trash, everyone's expressions completely changed. Yao Tianhong and Yao Tianming, whom he had named before everyone—Yao Tianchuan's Third Brother and Fifth Brother—were especially furious, their faces red as they gritted their teeth.

Yao Tianhong, the Yao Family's Fifth Young Master, slammed his hand on the table and rose to his full height. Pointing at Xie Yuan, he roared,

"Yao Tianchuan, what are you being so arrogant for? Just because you spend all day outside seeking famous masters, you think you can look down on everyone at home? You revere the outside path and belittle clan law. I think you have rebel bones at the back of your skull and no family in your heart at all!"

Though Yao Tianhong appeared enraged, his words were deeply calculating. Rather than defending himself, he followed Yao Yuzhi's lead and denounced Xie Yuan for refusing to unite with his clansmen, then escalated it to disobeying clan rules and even harboring no regard for his ancestral clan. The consequences could be great or small; his intentions ran deep.

Yao Tianming also said in a deep voice,

"Eighth Brother, do you think you are the only one in the family with strength and ability, the only one who can win honor for the family?"

Xie Yuan lifted his chin.

"Am I not?"

Yao Tianming paused, then shook his head.

"Pride and complacency will surely bring harm."

"Far better than overestimating yourself."

Xie Yuan shot back.

"Enough!"

With a bang, someone struck the table inside the hall. An elder angrily rebuked,

"At a Yao Family banquet, you bicker and shout like this. What kind of conduct is that?"

Xie Yuan looked over and found that this elder was an old acquaintance.

Yao Yilong.

His eyes narrowed, but he restrained himself from picking a fight with him. Yao Yilong's seniority was simply too high. He belonged to Yao Yuzhi's father's generation, which put him on Yao Tianchuan's great-grandfather's level.

But once he began speaking, it suited Xie Yuan perfectly, because he represented the Yao Family's Second Branch—the branch Yao Tianming belonged to.

The two Yao Family brothers Xie Yuan had chosen had not been picked at random.

He seemed to be throwing a tantrum for no reason, but in truth, he intended to intensify the Yao Family's internal conflicts.

No family, especially not a great family, could possibly have everyone thinking alike.

Even among a mere handful of people, each would have different thoughts and desires. As for a vast aristocratic clan, the complexity of its internal factions and disputes could fill an entire tale.

The Yao Family was even more so. Though after the Eight Gates Rebellion, the Yao Family's guiding principle had been to build up its numbers and develop in order to recover its strength—

Not everyone cared so much about the family's interests.

Where there were those who placed the family above all else, there were also those who placed themselves first.

Take Yao Tianchuan's case. Though he had been publicly acknowledged as the Yao Family's foremost genius since childhood, the delicate matter was that all his direct elders had already died.

Thus, while everyone agreed that he should be nurtured into greatness, there had been many arguments even within the Elders' Council over how exactly to nurture him and how many resources to give him.

One had to know that even a family as vast as the Yao Family did not have endless resources. If this genius used them, that prodigy would have less. If they supplied Yao Tianchuan with everything, then some of his brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces would inevitably receive nothing. From a small family to the whole world, whether fighting over rations or magical treasures, the principle was the same—things were limited, while people were endless.

Thus, Yao Tianchuan's path of growth had not been entirely smooth. Only after he joined the Hidden Sword Pavilion, and later stepped into the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm and fully revealed his brilliance, did the voices opposing him within the family gradually quiet down.

Those opponents naturally did not doubt Yao Tianchuan's talent. They merely opposed giving him so much. If he took more, what would become of their own children and descendants? Though they were indeed trash compared to Yao Tianchuan, they still had to be provided for.

A huge rice jar would inevitably raise many rice worms.

Behind Yao Tianming and Yao Tianhong stood two respectively influential factions of the Yao Family. One was the Yao Family's Second Branch, with Grandmaster Yao Yilong holding the fort. The other was the Fourth Branch, which likewise had a Grandmaster. Yao Yunwu was Yao Tianhong's biological father.

These two branches had fought more than once over resources when Yao Tianchuan's cultivation had still been low. There had long been resentment between them.

Once Yao Yilong spoke, the noisy waterside pavilion immediately quieted.

Though the old Grandmaster had been defeated by Xie Yuan's group of three, creating the greatest laughingstock in the world—a junior of the Second Transformation Realm defeating a Grandmaster head-on—no one within the Yao Family dared bring it up. As one of the Yao Family's few remaining Grandmasters, and someone of even greater seniority than the Family Head, his prestige remained immense.

Yao Yilong looked at Xie Yuan with tightly furrowed brows.

"Tian Chuan, no matter how great your talent, you may look down on the people of the world, but you cannot look down on brothers of the same clan and bloodline. Blood ties and ancestral kin are the reason a family exists. I too was arrogant in my youth, but only later did I realize that without my family, without the help of my brothers and elders, how could I have attained my current cultivation?"

"The elder is right!"

Xie Yuan cupped his hands.

"If Yao Tianming and Yao Tianhong had not seized my resources, how could they be shouting here now? They truly should thank me."

Upon hearing the first half of his words, everyone thought Yao Yilong had finally suppressed this unruly brat. But when they heard the latter half, every one of them looked shocked. They exchanged glances, held their breath, and nearly dared not look at Yao Yilong's expression.

Were those really words one could say in public?

Yao Yilong froze for a moment, then his face instantly darkened.

"Tian Chuan, what nonsense are you talking about? Someone, take Little Eight away. He is drunk."

As several servants immediately approached, Xie Yuan sneered.

"The Family Head has not even spoken yet, and you are already in such a hurry to take me away? Whose orders are you people following?"

If everyone had still been able to watch the spectacle over his earlier remarks, then at these words, even the servants who had approached froze where they stood, not daring to move.

The waterside pavilion became utterly silent. Even the wind over the lake seemed to cease.

A koi surfaced from the lake, seemingly to take a breath. Yet sensing the oppressive pressure in the air, it instantly flicked its tail and dove back beneath the water, leaving only ripples behind—the only movement in the pavilion.

Seeing the stiff atmosphere within the hall, Xie Yuan disregarded everything and broke the silence.

"You can make me leave. Then I will not be going to the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt either. Forming a team with pigs like them would only bring shame and make us rank last among the Eight Great Families again."

Yao Yilong's face was black as the bottom of a pot. He snorted angrily.

"Yao Tianchuan, do you think you can still hold the family hostage? Then don't go! Is the Yao Family so vast that it would lack one person like you?"

"The Yao Family does not lack me, just as it does not lack Sixth Uncle-Grandfather."

Xie Yuan sneered, rose to his feet, and made as if to leave.

"But if we rank last again this time, after all these consecutive years, many things will probably be decided by the other families from now on—by the Qian Family. Whether the Yao Family will still have any say at all is hard to tell."

Many people out on the lake looked confused, but every person within the hall changed expression.

Sixth Uncle-Grandfather? Had he not died long ago? Why was Yao Tianchuan bringing him up?

Many of the younger generation looked utterly bewildered.

But the elders in the hall had completely remembered where Yao Tianchuan had returned from after his studies. This outburst might not have been his own intention...

That was it. Though Yao Tianchuan had always possessed a strong personality, he had still been respectful toward his elders. His complete change in behavior this time must have been that person's instruction!

Why was he doing this?

Could it be that he wanted to return and contend for the Yao Family's power once more?

The Yao Family's important figures instantly thought of many things, and no longer paid attention to Xie Yuan's arrogance.

Inside an unnamed little house, a middle-aged man quietly flipping through Autumn Wind Pavilion intelligence suddenly sneezed. He then raised an eyebrow.

Ever since becoming a Grandmaster, he had not sneezed in a very long time. What had happened? Could some great event be about to occur?

His gaze sharpened. At his level of cultivation, his intuition could not be ignored. Thus, he sat in the room and fell into thought.

Within the Yao Family's waterside pavilion.

Watching Xie Yuan take a step away, Yao Yuzhi, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke.

"Tian Chuan, do not be hasty. Sit down first.

"The Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt is about to begin, and it is an opportunity you cannot afford to miss. Whatever thoughts you have, you may speak them and let us consider them."

Xie Yuan stopped. Standing in the middle of the central walkway beneath countless gazes, he raised his head toward the hall and said,

"If you want me to go to the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt, fine. But having them drag me down? No.

"Make those two withdraw, and naturally I can go."

At those words, everyone looked at one another. Then, they gradually began whispering among themselves.

So it was the classic tale of revenge...

The two had relied on the power of their elders to take quite a few of Yao Tianchuan's resources in the past. In a great family like this, naturally they would not resort to such tasteless methods as bullying him openly. The problem had been settled directly at the level of allocation. The young Yao Tianchuan had not even known about it, only understanding later.

Now, Yao Tianchuan's cultivation had grown ever higher. He had already reached the Second Transformation Realm, catching up to the two older brothers who were far older than him. He had returned after studying at the Hidden Sword Pavilion and some unknown place. The three-year deadline had arrived, and he wanted to show everyone that whatever he had lost, he would seize back with his own hands!

After convincing themselves that they understood what Xie Yuan was thinking, many people sighed in relief and began eagerly watching the spectacle. So long as they belonged to neither Yao Tianchuan's side nor the Second or Fourth Branches, they were happy to watch the drama unfold, as long as it did not affect them.

The important figures in the hall remained silent, but Yao Tianhong had already snorted angrily.

"You say I should withdraw, so I withdraw? Who do you think you are? You have only just broken through to the Second Transformation Realm, and your cultivation is still inferior to mine. Do you think you can achieve anything just by going to the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt?"

Xie Yuan said coldly,

"At least you and he have gone for two years and ranked last every year, proving that the two of you are useless. Better not to go, lest you drag me down."

The format of the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt was that each of the Eight Great Families sent six young descendants—three in the Second Transformation Realm and three in the Third Transformation Realm. They entered different areas to hunt separately, imitating the ancient struggle for supremacy between the human race and the Demon Race. The overall rankings would be calculated, and the highest score would win.

As for the First Transformation Realm, facing Demon Beasts was simply too dangerous, so they were not allowed to participate.

There were age limits for the younger generation as well. Those in the Second Transformation Realm had to be under thirty, signifying hidden dragons.

Those in the Third Transformation Realm had to be under thirty-five. After all, anyone over thirty-five was despised by man and loathed by dog; aside from writing lowbrow tales, they could not even afford to eat.

Martial cultivation could extend one's lifespan at higher levels, so anyone under thirty-five could still be counted among the young talents.

Fortunately, the divisions were set this way. If the Third Transformation Realm group had been limited to those under thirty, the Yao Family might not even have been able to gather enough people.

But even so, compared to the other great families, all of whom sent descendants at the peak of their respective cultivation realms, the Yao Family's current state was such that merely fielding a complete team counted as victory.

Yao Tianhong was so furious that he laughed instead:

"Did you think you were guaranteed a spot? You haven't even participated in the clan selection yet! Third Brother and I each already have a quota. Go fight the other brothers for whatever spots remain!"

His expression darkened uncertainly. Clearly, he was already considering how to pull strings and unite the others against Yao Tianchuan, forcing him out.

Xie Yuan looked at him coldly.

"I already told you. You're not qualified to compete with me. It was only because I didn't come to participate that trash like you deluded yourselves into thinking you had a quota. What can you possibly amount to?"

Having been repeatedly humiliated before the entire clan, Yao Tianhong's face had swollen crimson-purple as he roared:

"Even if you had come, could you have beaten me? Believe it or not, I'll personally send you off the stage and make sure you can't participate in this Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt!"

Xie Yuan stared at him disdainfully.

"If you can take one sword strike from me, I'll count you as qualified to go."

"Arrogant fool!"

Yao Tianhong gave a cold laugh and immediately cupped his hands toward the hall.

"Patriarch, Elders, Tianhong requests a sword duel with this Yao Tianchuan to contend for a quota in this Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt. One match shall decide victory and defeat!"

Seeing that Xie Yuan had set the terms of a single sword strike, he immediately stepped forward to challenge him, leaving no room for regret.

Yao Yilong said solemnly:

"Granted! To the Martial Arts Arena, now!"

"No need. We'll do it here. It'll only take one sword strike anyway."

Xie Yuan said coldly.

Everyone who had been about to rise froze.

Was he serious?

Did Yao Tianchuan really think he could deal with Yao Tianhong in a single strike?

Everyone's expressions shifted.

Although Yao Tianchuan had made a name for himself outside ever since the Qi and Blood First Transformation Realm, always defeating the strong while weak, he had become famous within the family even earlier. Everyone knew that he was nearly invincible among those of the same realm, even when his cultivation was lacking.

But Yao Tianhong was already close to the peak of the Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm. His cultivation far surpassed Yao Tianchuan's, who had only just entered the Second Transformation Realm.

They might believe he could win, but settling victory and defeat with one sword strike? That was truly as arrogantly conceited as he had acted today.

The Yao Family members did not know whether something had gone wrong with his cultivation outside, making his behavior so baffling today. They all shook their heads, not very optimistic that he would be able to end things well.

Yao Tianhong secretly rejoiced. If they fought properly with real blades, he felt that although his odds were greater, victory was not certain.

But if all he had to do was take a single sword strike, then this arrogant brat was bound to lose today!

Yao Tianhong snorted and spoke first.

"What a brainless madman! Fine, so what if I take one sword strike from you?"

He stepped into the open space at the center of the long, straight corridor where it crossed the other walkways. With a sweep of his sleeve, he snorted.

"Eighth Brother, please!"

Xie Yuan walked to the center of the grounds, facing Yao Tianhong directly, standing proudly with his hands behind his back.

"Where is your sword?"

Yao Tianhong, already holding his sharp sword, frowned slightly.

A short sword silently slid from Xie Yuan's sleeve. He said mildly:

"Watch carefully, so you don't claim I bullied you later."

Yao Tianhong looked at that dull, ungleaming short sword. His brow twitched, and an inexplicable sense of unease rose within him.

Strange. Hadn't he used a longsword before?

Inside the hall, Yao Yuzhi's gaze was grave as he looked at Xie Yuan and thought silently:

"Sixth Brother, what good will it do to teach Tianchuan into such a defiant character? Let me see."

Could he truly defeat Yao Tianhong, whose cultivation was far above his own, with a single sword strike? A trace of anticipation hid deep in Yao Yuzhi's eyes.

Yao Yilong flashed forward, personally arriving at the center of the corridor to serve as referee.

He looked at Xie Yuan, his expression somewhat complicated.

As a Grandmaster Elder and one of the Yao Family's few highly esteemed figures, he understood deeply that the Yao Family urgently needed a true genius to grow up and shoulder its burdens.

Whether it was competing for renown among aristocratic families through events such as the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt and the Hidden Dragon Assembly during his growth, or becoming a true pillar after reaching the Grandmaster realm, the Yao Family needed someone like Yao Tianchuan.

But there was already a rift between him and the direct descendants of their own branch. If he rose to prominence, their branch would certainly have a difficult time.

Yao Yilong's thoughts shifted before he finally said mildly:

"Tianchuan, the family has placed great hopes on you, and so have I. How can the past be judged wholly right or wrong? From now on, I will represent the family and give you my full support..."

"Words are useless. I, Yao Tianchuan, became sensible early and hold grudges easily. I remember everything."

Xie Yuan said with a stiff face.

Yao Yilong had taken the initiative to offer him an olive branch, yet Xie Yuan gave him no face before everyone. His expression became extremely ugly.

Yet his years of composure still made him take a deep breath. He knew he had to put the greater picture first. He was already old, but Yao Tianchuan would...

"Elder, Sixth Uncle-Grandfather once said that you should fight for what belongs to you yourself. A resource could have gone somewhere better; giving it to trash only means it gets bullied by juniors, becoming nothing more than a laughingstock."

Xie Yuan turned to Yao Yilong and spoke earnestly.

Then he hurriedly added:

"He said it. But...

"I rather admire that Xie Yuan. He's a talent."

From a distant courtyard came another sneeze.

Yao Yilong stood stunned for a moment, his face gradually turning completely black, like a terrifying sky blanketed by storm clouds.

A heavy pressure spread through the surroundings. The Yao Family members who had not heard the conversation only noticed the tables trembling and the cups and dishes quaking, and they could not help feeling alarmed.

Xie Yuan, bearing the pressure head-on, turned slightly pale but remained silent. He stood where he was, looking straight at Yao Yilong.

Yao Yilong's eyes nearly devoured him, but suddenly a gaze came from within the hall. His body stiffened, and he silently withdrew his aura.

He retreated stiffly to the side, his voice icy.

"Begin."

He stared fixedly at Xie Yuan, knowing that this enmity had now been completely forged.

Xie Yuan looked at the uncertain Yao Tianhong and said mildly:

"Are you ready?"

"You..."

Yao Tianhong froze for a moment. At first, he thought Xie Yuan was being rather polite, before belatedly realizing the arrogance hidden in those words. Rage immediately surged within him.

"Fine! Come at me!"

He raised his longsword and assumed a defensive stance.

Seeing that he was prepared, Xie Yuan said no more. Under the breathless stares of everyone present, his hand moved slightly.

Clang.

The next moment, the longsword in Yao Tianhong's hand snapped for no apparent reason. Terror filled his eyes as he tried to make a move, but his body froze, and he did not dare move at all.

Xie Yuan's short sword was already resting against his throat.

Yao Yilong's gaze froze, and his brow furrowed deeply.

"Tianchuan's swift sword... what tremendous progress!"

"Yes, as expected of that person..."

After a brief silence in the hall, the elders whispered among themselves, all of them astonished.

Yao Yuzhi looked at Xie Yuan. A flash of brilliance passed through his eyes as he nodded faintly.

The other Yao Family members stood dumbfounded for a moment before looking at one another in utter uproar.

It really had been one sword strike?

Yao Tianhong's face alternated between red and white. His lips trembled as if he wanted to say something, but he did not know what to say.

Xie Yuan said coldly:

"You may leave now."

Yao Tianhong's face abruptly went deathly pale. He silently turned around and quickly left the waterside pavilion.

His father, Yao Yunwu, had not come today. But even if he had, aside from making the scene livelier, he would not have been able to save him from being instantly defeated by a single sword strike before everyone.

Yao Yilong's aged face was filled with solemnity when he saw Xie Yuan look over at him again, giving him a hard stare.

Yao Yilong's expression darkened, and an ominous premonition rose in his heart. Sure enough, Xie Yuan shifted his gaze toward Yao Tianming.

"Third Brother, please. You should also test whether my treasured sword is sharp!"

Yao Tianming frowned and slowly rose.

Just as he walked to the center, Yao Yilong suddenly said:

"Swordsmanship is merely one path. Cultivation is the foundation. Do not compare swords in this match. Compare your fists and feet instead."

As soon as he said this, everyone in the waterside pavilion looked at one another.

Yao Tianchuan excelled at swordsmanship. Although his cultivation was extremely high for his age, comparing fists and feet with Yao Tianming, who was fully five years older than him...

Wasn't that plainly bullying him?

Although there were many wastrels present in today's back-and-forth, there were also plenty of deeply calculating people.

Seeing Yao Yilong, a Grandmaster, disregard his status so completely, their expressions grew grave.

How had this factional struggle directly torn away all pretense?

Yao Yilong represented the second branch, Yao Yunwu represented the fourth branch, and behind Yao Tianchuan stood...

Yao Yuzhi's voice drifted from the hall.

"Second Uncle, Tianchuan excels with the sword. How can you deny him the use of a sword?"

Yao Yilong said coldly:

"Patriarch, since we are selecting juniors to enter Ten Thousand Demons Mountain, we naturally must examine their overall strength. Knowing only the sword will not do. Tianchuan has proven himself stronger than Tianhong, so that quota may be his. But his other abilities must also be seen."

Everyone's hearts tightened. Yao Yilong and Yao Yuzhi were directly confronting one another!

Yao Yuzhi fell somewhat silent. He knew Yao Yilong was willing to cast aside all dignity for the sake of preserving Yao Tianming's quota.

Yao Tianhong had lost to Xie Yuan in a single sword strike, and Yao Tianming would not fare much better.

If he lost such a wagered match, he naturally would have no face left to go to Ten Thousand Demons Mountain.

Ten Thousand Demons Mountain was an immense opportunity. If Yao Yilong did not preserve this chance for Yao Tianming and allowed "Yao Tianchuan" to enter, the gap between them would be thoroughly widened in the future.

But if Yao Tianming entered Ten Thousand Demons Mountain, he would still have a chance to obtain an opportunity. Perhaps he might even surpass Yao Tianchuan. After Yao Yilong was gone, there would still be room to contend.

This concerned the great plan of his branch. Even if they tore their faces apart, he could not yield so easily.

Yao Yuzhi knew that Yao Yilong would not give an inch on this matter. After pondering for a moment, he said nothing more.

From his position, he had to consider the Yao Family's greater interests.

Yao Tianchuan had to enter Ten Thousand Demons Mountain. Whether for his personal growth or for the Yao Family's ranking in this expedition, it had to be so.

The Yao Family could no longer remain at the bottom of the rankings...

As long as Yao Tianchuan could go, making concessions elsewhere did not matter.

Xie Yuan heard this without being moved. Under Yao Yilong's watchful gaze, he flicked his short sword away, directly embedding it in the nearby corridor.

With a ringing clang, the short sword sank three inches into the wood, its hilt still quivering.

Quite a few people secretly sighed. Under Yao Yilong's oppressive pressure, Yao Tianchuan could not use his sword. The result of this match was self-evident.

But Yao Tianchuan could already enter Ten Thousand Demons Mountain, so the result was not that important. He would merely lose some of his momentum and be thoroughly humiliated.

After all, a Grandmaster had personally intervened. No one dared defy him.

Amid the silence, Xie Yuan said mildly:

"Third Brother, if you can take one punch from me, I will likewise permit you to go to Ten Thousand Demons Mountain."

Everyone froze, nearly thinking they had misheard.

He said punch, not sword, right?

What was Yao Tianchuan thinking?

Everyone wore strange expressions. In terms of cultivation, Yao Tianming surpassed Yao Tianchuan by an unknown margin. His only advantages had been his talent and swordsmanship.

Now that advantage was gone. If they were comparing fists and feet, it would already be good enough if he surrendered in time and avoided being knocked into the lake. Yet he still dared speak such wild words?

Perhaps, with his temperament, he simply could not accept this outcome...

The elders in the hall looked at one another. Their first thought was:

"That person was not skilled in any fist technique either, was he?"

They could not make heads or tails of it. But looking at Xie Yuan, they all shook their heads slightly, not optimistic about him. Even Yao Yuzhi was the same.

Yao Yilong looked at Xie Yuan, frowned, snorted, and said mildly:

"Enough boasting. The match begins."

Even the calm Yao Tianming felt anger rise in his heart. He said in a low voice:

"Eighth Brother, you have gone too far. Admit defeat in this match, and I will not bully you."

"Are you ready?"

Xie Yuan remained unmoved as he spoke mildly.

Seeing him like this, even as steady and mature as Yao Tianming was, fury ignited in his eyes.

"Fine! I'll take one punch from you first, then we'll have a proper match! Make your move!"

Seeing his opponent raise both hands into a stance, Xie Yuan slowly lifted his fist, turned slightly sideways, and drew his arm back.

Then he suddenly threw a punch.

The air in the waterside pavilion suddenly thundered like the surging waves of a great river!

Yao Yilong's expression changed drastically. His hand moved, but upon sensing the faint gaze from within the hall, he could only stop.

In that instant, he watched helplessly as Xie Yuan's simple yet violently fierce punch struck Yao Tianming's crossed arms.

Yao Tianming's entire body shuddered, and color immediately rushed into his face.

How could this punch possess such power?

But it was not over. After the first burst of force came the second wave, then the third, each arriving in succession. Vast and unmatched, the endless internal force crashed over him like towering waves, completely engulfing him.

Three Twists Layered Strength!

This... was the sixth layer?

No, the seventh layer!

Yao Tianming, whose Great Golden River Skill had only reached the fifth level, turned pale with shock. Before he could react, he was utterly swallowed by the raging torrent. With a boom, he flew out of the water pavilion and, with a splash, plunged into the lake.

The koi that had poked their heads out were startled away once more, leaving only chaotic ripples on the lake.

Silence.

There was only absolute silence in the water pavilion.

From the first unexpected turn until now, the water pavilion had fallen silent and erupted into clamor several times. But this time, it was utterly silent. With one's eyes closed, it was like an empty wilderness in the dead of midnight; yet opening them revealed so many people, making it feel strangely eerie.

A delighted burst of laughter rang out from the hall.

"Hahahaha! Tian Chuan, your Great Golden River Skill has broken through to the seventh level?"

Yao Yuzhi walked straight out of the hall, stood upon the steps, and looked at Xie Yuan with a broad smile.

Xie Yuan cupped his hands, his expression calm.

"That's right."

The seventh level?

The seventh level of the Great Golden River Skill?

Now, it was not only the Yao Family members in the water pavilion who were stunned. Even many of the elders in the hall stood there with their mouths agape.

There were several elders here in the Third Transformation Realm, and their own Great Golden River Skill had only reached the seventh level... Yet how old was Yao Tianchuan? They had pondered over this immensely profound Great Golden River Skill for a lifetime and only cultivated it this far, yet he had actually caught up to them?

An uproar broke out, and everyone could not help whispering among themselves and discussing it fervently.

Amid the clamor, Yao Yuzhi paid no heed to Xie Yuan's attitude and said in great delight, "Good, good! With Tian Chuan here, our Yao Family can at least secure a middle ranking in this Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt! Hahaha..."

"Family Head."

Yao Yilong's voice, laden with surprise and gravity, interrupted Yao Yuzhi's laughter.

"Tian Chuan's cultivation is... indeed cause for celebration. But I believe the previous slots should not be altered. Tianming's cultivation merits an opportunity to participate in the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt."

Upon hearing this, Yao Yuzhi's smile faded slightly, and he frowned in contemplation. Then Xie Yuan's icy voice sounded.

"Only one of us can go."

"You!"

Yao Yilong flew into a rage.

"Yao Tianchuan, don't think that you can call the shots in the Yao Family now!"

"Naturally, the family head calls the shots."

Xie Yuan said blandly, "Also, Sixth Uncle-Grandfather said he was very satisfied with my performance and told me that I must go to the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt to win glory for the family. Whatever I need, I need only ask. He will speak with the family on my behalf."

Once those words came out, those unaware of the situation remained lost in the clouds and mist. However, Yao Yuzhi and Yao Yilong's expressions both changed slightly.

So it really was him...

"My only request is that I choose my own teammates. Only then can we best contend with the other prodigies for the family's sake. If I have to go with trash like Yao Tianhong and Yao Tianming, we might as well forfeit and admit defeat, saving ourselves the humiliation."

Xie Yuan continued.

After hearing him out, Yao Yuzhi pondered for a moment and made up his mind. Before Yao Yilong could speak, he nodded heavily.

"Fine. The selection for this Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt shall be handled this way! Of the three Second Transformation Realm slots, Tian Chuan will take the lead. You will have full authority to decide them yourself!"

"Thank you, Family Head Xie."

Xie Yuan clasped his hands, then drew his short sword. With a sweep of his sleeve, without even glancing at Yao Yilong, he left the water pavilion directly without looking back.

Every member of the Yao Family watched Xie Yuan leave. As they looked at that departing figure, an indescribable feeling arose within them.

He was no longer a mere junior, it seemed...

He even inspired awe.

Even the slots for the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt had been handed directly to him for his decision. Even Yao Yilong, one of the family's three Great Grandmasters, had failed to contend with him.

His status, his voice in the family, would undergo a complete transformation after today.

Perhaps even some of those seated in the hall were inferior to him.

This family banquet had originally made him its central figure, but unexpectedly... this was how it witnessed his complete rise within the family.

Xie Yuan returned to Yao Tianchuan's small house. With his eyes closed, he changed clothes under Cuiping's attendance, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.

What fun was unity? I want to see the Yao Family drown in blood!

Win over one faction, crush another. With my identity, I'll utterly inflame the Yao Family's internal conflicts.

Yao Yilong knows there can be no reconciliation. He will certainly find a way to suppress me. Otherwise, once I gain power, given how vindictive and arrogant I showed myself to be today, the question for his branch will not be whether they can live well, but whether their bloodline can even continue.

As the family head, Yao Yuzhi must protect me for the family's long-term development. That means he must begin clashing with Yao Yilong.

The two factions will stand directly opposed. For the survival of his own bloodline, Yao Yilong certainly will not hold back.

But for the family's stability, Yao Yuzhi might still employ gentler methods. It will depend on his skill as family head—if there are no other variables, perhaps he can bring the situation back into balance.

But Xie Yuan naturally would not allow that to happen. As the center of the storm, he had countless ways to intensify the conflict.

Between an aged, powerless, laughable Great Grandmaster who had been defeated by a junior, and himself, who had displayed astonishing talent and boundless potential and had the support of the Autumn Wind Pavilion Master, the choice was obvious.

The two of them had to fight.

As for the fact that he had altered a few of the Autumn Wind Pavilion Master's words... quite a few had actually been his original words. In the Autumn Wind Pavilion Master's eyes, everyone in the Yao Family, top to bottom, was trash.

Even if he had exaggerated a little, how could Yao Yuzhi and Yao Yilong possibly go ask the Autumn Wind Pavilion Master? It was no great problem.

An unnamed little house.

The Autumn Wind Pavilion Master was distracted and uneasy. He had been sneezing constantly lately, and he did not know why.

For a Great Grandmaster, that was far too unusual.

Yun Jiao knocked on the door, entered silently, lowered his head, and cupped his hands.

"Pavilion Master, news has come from the family."

"Speak."

"After Slaying Clouds returned, he caused a huge disturbance..."

Yun Jiao recounted everything that had happened that day as though he had been there in person.

The Autumn Wind Pavilion Master narrowed his eyes as he listened. After a long silence, he said, "When did I... ever teach him to say such things?"

Yun Jiao lowered his head and did not dare answer.

The Autumn Wind Pavilion Master tilted his head back and said mildly, "Acting this way does not seem to fit his character... When he was here, he showed none of it at all."

Yun Jiao did not know how to respond and continued to keep silent.

"But this is good."

The Autumn Wind Pavilion Master suddenly smiled.

"Back then, I was in a situation much like his, but I did not dare fight as fiercely as he did. In the end, I was driven to Autumn Wind Pavilion.

"Though it now seems far better than staying in that cesspit of mud, I was driven here in the end. Hehe... Good! Slaying Clouds fought well.

"This boy grows more pleasing to me the more I look at him."

He tapped his fingers against the table, thought for a while, then said softly, "Send word... No, go find that old bastard Yao Yilong yourself.

"Tell him that if anything happens to Slaying Clouds, every single person in his branch, from top to bottom, will die."

The Autumn Wind Pavilion Master spoke calmly.

"Remember, every single one."