Beginning the Breakthrough

"Congratulations to the Young Clan Leader on becoming Acting Clan Leader!"

"Congratulations..."

Listening to everyone around him congratulate him, Hun Tianchen suddenly felt an overwhelming weight on his shoulders. He forced a smile at Hun Tiandi.

"Father, isn't this a little too hasty? I may not be ready for this yet."

"You have already proven through your actions and abilities that you can do it." Hun Tiandi smiled approvingly. "With you here, I can rest assured and enter seclusion to cultivate. I may not emerge for some time, so the clan's major affairs will be entrusted to you. You will also personally supervise the progress of the plan."

"Since Father has put it that way, I have nothing more to say." Hun Tianchen spoke rather helplessly.

"After you settle your matters, follow me to a suitable place for secluded cultivation. I will increase your chances of making a breakthrough."

"Thank you, Father." Hun Tianchen clasped his hands and watched Hun Tiandi depart with an awkward smile.

All at once, the responsibility on his shoulders became even heavier.

"Hall Master, could I trouble you with a small favor?"

Hun Miesheng seemed unable to bear it and said awkwardly, "Young Master, you are now the Acting Clan Leader. There is no need to be so polite. Just give the order. Forget a small favor—even if you told me to die, I would do it."

"You're overstating it, Hall Master." Hun Tianchen was even more speechless. "It is only a small favor, and I would not have the heart to send you to your death, would I? Help me gather these medicinal ingredients from outside. It would be best if you can finish before I succeed in breaking through."

"These are all medicinal ingredients needed to completely cure the Calamity Poison Body, so you must be careful. Also, use gentler methods. Do not kill people at every turn. This is the time when the Hun Clan's plan is being laid out; it would be unwise to provoke others. Keep as low a profile as possible."

Hun Miesheng glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, whom Hun Tianchen was sheltering behind him, and revealed an expression of understanding.

"Understood. I'll personally go look for them at once!"

Hun Tianchen waved his sleeve and looked at the surrounding Hun Clan members.

"Proceed according to the plan. Keep your conduct low-key at all times. If anything happens outside the plan, you must report it to me immediately. If anyone conceals anything, there will be no mercy. Their souls will also be taken as sacrifices. Remember to pass these words on to your own subordinates."

The Hun Clan members all nodded.

Of course, there was no telling whether they would obey openly while defying him in secret...

If such a thing truly happened, Hun Tianchen would deal with it using the cruelest methods.

"Also, take good care of these guests. They are honored guests of the Hun Clan. Give them whatever they need, understood?" Hun Tianchen pointed at Xiao Yi Xian and Qinglin behind him.

"Understood!"

After giving all his orders, Hun Tianchen walked wearily over to the two women.

"Xiao Yi Xian, I'll have to trouble you. Stay here for a while... I can no longer suppress my breakthrough. Once I break through to the Dou Venerate realm, I will begin preparing to completely cure your Calamity Poison Body and let you fully control it."

"There is no need to rush such matters. Finish your own business first." Xiao Yi Xian looked at him gently. "Are you... the young master of this clan?"

"Yes." Hun Tianchen smiled faintly. "So I may have many matters to handle, and sometimes I may not have time to look after you two. Please forgive me."

"No need. Just being willing to treat my Calamity Poison Body is already a tremendous help."

Hun Tianchen looked at Qinglin and spoke softly.

"You should stay here with Xiao Yi Xian for a while as well. I have already instructed the clan members to find suitable cultivation techniques for you. There is a set for Xiao Yi Xian too. The two of you can try cultivating while I am breaking through to the Dou Venerate realm."

"Qinglin will not disappoint Young Master." Qinglin raised her head and looked firmly at Hun Tianchen.

"A Dou Venerate... I never expected you to reach such a level at such a young age." Xiao Yi Xian lightly bit her red lips and shook her head helplessly. "I suppose I cannot be of much help to you."

"Don't say that. Perhaps your talents are even greater than mine?" Hun Tianchen comforted her, then prepared to depart for his breakthrough.

"I should go find my father. You two... cultivate well and stay here."

The two women watched the white-robed man depart. They exchanged a glance and nodded to one another, as though they had made some sort of resolve.

Elsewhere, Hun Feng and Hun Yu also saw the white-robed man leaving through the sky. They looked at each other and revealed bitter smiles.

Both were outstanding among the Hun Clan's younger generation, yet above them stood the even more gifted Hun Tianchen.

"Hun Feng, do you still dare entertain thoughts of dealing with Brother Tianchen?" Hun Yu asked bitterly.

"I don't. I truly don't dare anymore." Hun Feng's mouth twitched. "Didn't you see how Hun Miesheng, the Hall Master of the Hall of Souls, followed Brother Tianchen around like a lackey without the slightest dissatisfaction? If we dared move against Brother Tianchen, never mind him—Hun Miesheng alone could slap us to death."

"Hun Miesheng is Brother Tianchen's man now, and Brother Tianchen is the Acting Clan Leader. His status is far above ours now." Hun Yu said gloomily. "Besides, Brother Tianchen is already about to break through to Dou Venerate, while we are only Dou Ling... There is still a long time before the next Bloodline Baptism and Bloodline Awakening ceremony. It is hard to say whether we can even reach Dou Wang in one go."

"Hun Yu, you must understand... Brother Tianchen has never undergone a Bloodline Baptism... and his Bloodline Awakening was present from the moment he was born." Hun Feng's eyes were filled with envy, though his expression darkened.

"With such a halo around him, and after being suppressed and beaten by Brother Tianchen for so many years, I have long since stopped daring to think of opposing him. We might as well submit to him now."

Hun Yu nodded in agreement.

"Yes. Perhaps this is our only way out."

They arrived at a secluded place exceptionally suited for cultivation. It was a place specifically used by Hun Clan experts for secluded cultivation.

Hun Tianchen went deeper inside, reaching the area that belonged exclusively to Hun Tiandi.

Hun Tiandi's tightly shut eyes suddenly opened as he looked at Hun Tianchen.

"Are you ready?"

"I'm ready, Father." Hun Tianchen answered respectfully.

"If you borrow the power of your bloodline, breaking through to Dou Venerate will be easier, and you may even become stronger," Hun Tiandi said.

"I'd better not, Father. External power is ultimately only external power. Only a breakthrough achieved with my own strength truly belongs to me." Hun Tianchen understood Hun Tiandi's meaning and explained, "Only then will I have that sliver of possibility to challenge the highest realm—the Dou Di!"

"I understand what you mean." Hun Tiandi smiled approvingly. "Come, sit beside me. I will guard you."

"Yes, Father."

Hun Tianchen sat cross-legged, gathered the Dou Qi within his body, began absorbing the surrounding energy, and drew upon the Luck Force within him to charge toward the Dou Venerate realm!