The Moonlit Chess Game and the Phoenix Choosing a New Branch-Everyone Was in Motion

Meanwhile, in the Ten Directions Immortal Court, the Tongtian Family...

Night was falling.

Tongtian Wanyue stood by the window, her slender figure almost blending into the deep darkness.

The girl tilted her head slightly, her gaze passing over the layers of eaves to the enormous stone pillar that stretched from the sky to the earth in the distance, and she sighed in admiration.

Since returning to the Lineage with that Dragon Pattern Jade Pendant, everything has changed.

Those tribesmen who once ignored her now stop and bow in respect when they see her.

Even the usually arrogant Third Elder made an unprecedented appearance yesterday to provide guidance on cultivation.

Tongtian Wanyue knew that this sudden respect did not originate from him.

Rather, it stemmed from the Divine Son behind her.

"Seventh Miss." A Zijin called softly from behind.

The girl turned around, and her still-childish face held a calmness beyond her years.

"How's the investigation going?" Her voice was young, but her tone was surprisingly calm.

Despite his young age, Tongtian Wanyue has experienced far too much of the harsh realities of life.

Zijin lowered her voice. "The Eldest Young Master has been making frequent moves lately, secretly winning over many people, and it seems he intends to make trouble for you at next month's Lineage meeting."

Upon hearing this, Tongtian Wanyue slowly sat down, her eyes flickering slightly.

She naturally wouldn't believe everything the new maid said.

But Tongtian Wanyue knew that Eldest Brother's personality all too well—he would never let her off easily.

After all, his own survival was his biggest obstacle.

"And..." Zijin hesitated for a moment, "The Eldest Young Master has been frequently visiting the forbidden area lately, seemingly having secret talks with the Pillar Guard Elders."

"Pillar Guard Elders?" The girl's eyes narrowed.

These old fogies have always been aloof from worldly affairs, and even the Patriarch has to show them deference.

How did my Eldest Brother manage to persuade them?

We can no longer sit idly by and wait to die.

Thinking of this, Tongtian Wanyue unfolded the power distribution map on the table, took out a list tucked inside, and handed it to the maid, saying calmly, "Go and invite the people on this list."

"Just tell them I've obtained some excellent Star Mist Tea and ask them to taste it."

Zijin glanced down at the list, hesitating slightly. "Miss, these are all unsuccessful members of the collateral branches..."

The meaning couldn't be clearer—these people aren't worth the effort to win over.

"It is precisely because they are down on their luck that they are all the more worthy of being courted." Tongtian Wanyue gazed out the window, her silver eyelashes trembling gently in the moonlight. "Offering help in times of need is always better than adding to someone's success."

After Zijin left, the young woman took out the Dragon Pattern Jade Pendant from her bosom.

She whispered softly, rubbing the Jade Pendant against her cheek.

"You have given me a place to stand, and I will certainly not let you down."

The girl was well aware of her situation—she was still young and lacked a solid foundation.

In the past, her Eldest Brother would never have given her a chance to grow; he would have eliminated any potential threat before she was fully capable.

And that's exactly what happened.

But now, everything is different.

With this Jade Pendant by his side, his Eldest Brother would not dare to act rashly in the short term—he knew better than anyone that if he were to be harmed in the slightest, he would surely suffer the wrath of that Divine Son and the Qin Clan.

This deterrent gave Tongtian Wanyue a precious respite.

She was finally able to calm down and cultivate her own strength step by step from scratch.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the courtyard.

"Seventh Sister, what a refined taste you have!"

Tongtian Wanyue's eyes turned cold, and he quickly put the Jade Pendant back into his bosom.

Then, her elder brother, Tongtian Ze, arrived uninvited with a group of followers.

"What brings you here so late, Eldest Brother?" The girl stood on the steps, her petite frame ramrod straight.

Tongtian Ze was still dressed in a magnificent robe, his gentle and refined appearance masking an underlying anxiety in his eyes. "I've heard that Seventh Sister has been quite active lately."

He stepped forward slowly, his gaze sweeping over the rolled-up drawings on the desk. "I wonder what they're planning?"

The girl's lips curled slightly. "It's just learning some manners, so I won't be impolite in the future. After all..." Her silver eyes looked directly at her brother, "No one has ever taught me these things."

"Logic?" Tongtian Ze sneered. "Winning over collateral branches and befriending elders, is that what you call learning logic? Seventh Sister, have you forgotten your place?"

"Identity?" Tongtian Wanyue chuckled, her silver hair fluttering. "Eldest Brother, you've reminded me. Do you remember what you said in the Ancestral Hall three months ago?"

Tongtian Ze's expression changed slightly.

He certainly remembered—it was when he had just ascended to the position of heir, and in front of all the elders, he declared that he would imprison this woman of Sin Blood forever.

But now, everything has changed because of that Divine Son.

"Having a powerful backer certainly makes a difference." He narrowed his eyes. "But you must understand, outsiders are still outsiders. The affairs of the Tongtian Family are not for outsiders to interfere in."

"What you say is true, Eldest Brother." The girl suddenly smiled, a smile that was innocent and radiant, yet her eyes were clear and bright. "So I'm studying hard, trying to avoid making a fool of our Tongtian Family in front of outsiders."

These words, though spoken lightly, filled Tongtian Ze with anger.

"Good, very good." He suppressed his anger. "Since Seventh Sister is so confident, then I look forward to your performance at next month's Lineage meeting."

He turned away with a flick of his sleeve, but suddenly stopped as he stepped out of the courtyard.

"By the way, the Pillar Guard Elders have agreed to begin the 'Tongtian Trial'." He turned back with a meaningful smile. "Since Seventh Sister is so capable, she surely won't miss this opportunity, will she?"

"With a powerful backer, I can't really touch you, but if I invoke the rules of the Tongtian Family, even that person can't interfere."

"Then struggle on, my dear sister."

Watching her brother's departing figure, Tongtian Wanyue unconsciously clenched her sleeves.

The Tongtian Trial – This is the most rigorous and dangerous test for the Lineage.

Throughout history, fewer than a hundred people have ever passed this test.

The Eldest Brother's actions clearly indicate that he intends to use the Tongtian Family's rules to trap and kill him.

"Miss..." Zijin had returned at some point and looked at her with concern.

The girl loosened her clenched fists, revealing deep marks on her palms from her fingernails.

"It's alright." She turned and walked towards the inner room, her petite figure standing ramrod straight. "Since Eldest Brother has made his move, I will accept it."

In the dead of night, the girl took out the jade Jade Pendant again.

Gazing at the Wood Dragon swimming within, he took out Paper and Brush and began writing a letter to Qin Wangchuan.

It wasn't a request for help, but a report—a report on the arrangements made over the past few days, and a report on the plans for the future.

Now that she had chosen to return to the Tongtian Family, she had to prove that she deserved that trust.

Compared to the arduous task of Tongtian Wanyue, Feng Qingjue and Luo Lingxi had it much easier.

Middle Thousand Provinces, Snow Cloud Realm.

After the Lower Realm to the mortal realm, Feng Qingjue did not immediately go to the Xuanhuang World to carry out the task assigned by Qin Wangchuan.

She first dispatched her most capable Shadow Guard to find Lv Yingxin, and then began to deal with her own important matters.

Only by taking care of your own affairs first can you concentrate on doing other things.

This Empress, who once vowed to Attack Heaven, is now sitting in the Wangxian Tower in the Imperial Capital of the Snow Cloud Realm.

Her long, dark phoenix-patterned dress accentuated her breathtaking curves, making the candlelight pale in comparison. Her regal and elegant demeanor inspired both a desire to submit and a yearning to conquer.

But when she said "Let's all go our separate ways," the entire room fell silent.

"Why do you say such a thing, Your Majesty?" an elderly general with white hair asked in a trembling voice.

This old servant, who had served the palace since its inception, bore every scar that testified to his loyalty.

Feng Qingjue his eyes and gently stroked the teacup. "The Grand Wish I once made were ultimately too shallow and naive."

"We've passed through the heavens and seen the people. Those people are indeed different from us; they can reside in the ninth heaven."

"The road ahead was uncertain--"

"But I owe that person a favor, and I've decided to travel with him."

Having said that, she raised her eyes and surveyed the crowd, her phoenix eyes filled with unprecedented solemnity. "There's no need for words of dissuasion. If there are any like-minded individuals, you may come with me, but—"

"This path is different from the shallow one we took before; it is a true thorny road. The difficulties ahead will likely far exceed our imagination."