Compromise

"That fluctuation just now was your spiritual body, wasn't it? How long do you intend to keep that Sinister Vein hidden?"

Given Futu Yun's status, Futu Xuan should have personally served as his protector. Unfortunately, the latter had to remain in the clan to keep Qing Yanjing in check.

Just as Futu Yun used Qing Yanjing to restrain the Xuan Branch and Mo Branch,

Futu Xuan also had to restrain Qing Yanjing, lest the Qing Lineage grow too powerful—not to mention that Qing Yanjing was already a sinner awaiting punishment!

Qing Yanjing merely shot Futu Xuan a cold glance.

If not for his interference, she could have spent more time catching up with the father and son.

Futu Yun had dealt with the Nine Nether Sparrow that had intended to possess Mu Chen in the original story ahead of time. This could be considered saving Mu Chen once.

After all, Mu Chen did not yet possess the Immortal Catalog and had no way to suppress the Nine Nether Sparrow's essence.

Yet the one who had taken the Immortal Catalog was also Futu Yun.

Although Futu Yun had eliminated the Nine Nether Sparrow and protected Mu Chen, he had also cut off Mu Chen's opportunity.

He had even ruined Mu Chen's trump card from the original story.

In the original story, Mu Chen had relied on the Nine Nether Sparrow's power to defeat Liu Jingshan, who was at the Fusion Heaven Realm.

But now that the Nine Nether Sparrow was gone, what could he use against Liu Jingshan?

The Northern Spiritual Realm had not seen a Fusion Heaven Realm expert in many years.

As its name suggested, the Fusion Heaven Realm allowed one to merge with heaven and earth. With every gesture, one could destroy mountains; it was far beyond an ordinary Divine Soul Stage cultivator.

If Mu Chen could reach the Divine Soul Stage, challenging opponents above his level would not be impossible.

But when Futu Yun had refined the Nine Divine Veins some time ago, the backlash had struck Mu Chen, their original owner.

As a result, Mu Chen remained at the peak of the Spirit Wheel Stage even now.

With his attainments in Spirit Formations, he might barely contend with some Divine Soul Stage experts, but against the Fusion Heaven Realm, he had no chance at all.

Mu Chen was Liu Jingshan's foremost target to begin with. After all, the boy had obtained a seed student quota from the Five Great Academies.

Once he grew up, he would undoubtedly become a devastating threat to the Liu Territory.

Thus, after severely injuring Mu Feng and the others, Liu Jingshan did not rush to deliver a fatal blow. Instead, he turned to pursue Mu Chen.

At that moment, Qing Yanjing's spiritual body emerged from within Mu Chen.

In the original story, this spiritual body had effortlessly slain Sovereigns.

Even Ninth-grade Sovereigns had been easily forced back.

Dealing with a mere Fusion Heaven Realm cultivator now was simply using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Mu Feng clenched his fists tightly. He

had remained at the peak of the late Divine Soul Stage for many years, never able to break through.

Yet this battle with Liu Jingshan had benefited him greatly.

He vaguely felt as if he had touched upon the opportunity for a breakthrough.

This feeling made him realize that, if he could cultivate in seclusion for a time after this battle,

he might truly reach that long-awaited realm.

Unfortunately, Qing Yanjing could not spend long catching up with the father and son, much less had the opportunity to guide her husband.

After all, the situation differed from that of the original story.

In the original story, she had been confined within the Pagoda Ancient Clan. As long as her true body did not leave, there would not be much of a problem.

But now, while she remained in the Pagoda Ancient Clan, Futu Xuan had kept her under constant surveillance.

Once she stayed away too long, her location might be pinpointed.

That was why she had told Mu Chen not to go to the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy—because she knew Futu Yun was there!

If Mu Chen went there, it would be no different from a sheep walking into a tiger's den!

Although Futu Yun would not harm Mu Chen, at worst she would have to wrong herself and serve him a few more times at night.

But Mandala was Futu Yun's protector in name, and quite a few Pagoda Ancient Clan experts followed him as well.

Once Mu Chen was discovered by people from the Xuan Branch and Mo Branch, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"You may be able to protect that Sinister Vein now, but I do not believe you can keep him from being discovered by us for the rest of his life."

"Our clan will not acknowledge such an existence. He must be erased!" Futu Xuan said slowly.

Qing Yanjing said coldly, "Great Elder, I have willingly accepted punishment all these years, not because I feared you."

"It was because I did not wish for the clan to suffer losses because of me."

"But if you dare harm my son's life, do not blame me for disregarding all ties!"

"Even if you can kill me then, I will never let you off easily."

"At the very least, Great Elder, I can guarantee that you will perish alongside me!"

"Qing Yanjing, what nerve!"

Qing Yanjing lowered her eyes slightly. "I, too, hold deep feelings for the Pagoda Ancient Clan. But if it truly comes to that..."

At this moment, she had shed her usual calmness, like a lioness protecting her cubs as she bared her fangs.

Whoever touched her bottom line would witness the savagery and madness hidden beneath that composure.

And her bottom line was undoubtedly her son, Mu Chen.

Futu Xuan's expression changed slightly as he looked at Qing Yanjing, who was now in an extremely dangerous state.

He could clearly sense her resolve. If he truly acted against Mu Chen, Qing Yanjing would certainly turn against him at once.

Although the Pagoda Ancient Clan's foundation was enough to suppress her, it would inevitably come at a terrible cost.

Futu Xuan was confident that his life would not be in danger, but that cost would likely be the death of a Heavenly Sovereign.

To the Pagoda Ancient Clan, that would undoubtedly be a devastating blow.

After all, to any superpower in the Great Thousand World, the loss of a Heavenly Sovereign was irreparable.

Even more troublesome was the fact that Futu Yun, the Pagoda Ancient Clan's young clan leader, had not yet matured.

If Qing Yanjing insisted on killing him, Futu Xuan might not be able to stop her.

A Saint-Grade Spiritual Array Grandmaster was far more troublesome than an ordinary Saint-grade Heavenly Sovereign.

After a moment of silence, Futu Xuan slowly said, "Our clan is currently waging war on the Tianluo Continent and has committed quite a few experts."

This was also Futu Yun's arrangement—after the Pagoda Ancient Clan grew stronger, there was no need to keep a low profile. They could directly expand their territory.

Had the Maha Ancient Clan not approached the Boundless Fire Territory in order to expand its territory?

Only to be taught a lesson by the Flame Emperor instead.

Although the Tianluo Continent ranked among the ten great supercontinents, its overall strength was far inferior to the Boundless Fire Territory.

Its disparity in high-level combat power was especially obvious.

Now that the Pagoda Ancient Clan had gained many new experts, it was fully capable of waging war abroad!

And the starting point of this campaign was Danyang Ancestor.

If they had failed to purchase the Mandala Flower Remnant,

the Pagoda Ancient Clan would have destroyed Danyang Mountain and killed Danyang Ancestor as a warning to others.

Conversely, if they successfully bought the remnant, the two sides would have formed some ties.

Danyang Mountain would then be considered half an ally of the Pagoda Ancient Clan on the Tianluo Continent.

Even a power as strong as the Pagoda Ancient Clan needed the help of local forces when expanding its territory.

"For now, neither Heavenly Sovereigns nor Earthly Sovereigns can spare themselves, but your child must be captured and brought back."

His voice was low yet unquestionable. Though they could refrain from dispatching Heavenly Sovereigns and Earthly Sovereigns for now, they could still send Sovereign Stage experts.

Upon hearing this, Qing Yanjing calmed down.

She knew the Great Elder's stubbornness and conservatism well. Getting him to take even one step back was already no easy feat.

She had never wished to completely tear things apart, after all. The blood of the Pagoda Ancient Clan still flowed through her veins.

As for dispatching Sovereign experts, Qing Yanjing was somewhat worried, but she could accept it.

After all, those people would never find Mu Chen!

Mu Chen's Nine-level Pagoda had already been shattered earlier.

And because he had not cultivated the Yin Scroll of the Great Pagoda Art, repairing it was exceedingly difficult.

Before leaving, Qing Yanjing had destroyed it.

Besides telling Mu Chen not to go to the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy,

she had also told him to cultivate another cultivation art instead.

She raised her eyes toward the Void, her gaze seeming to cross the vast distance of space and settle upon the figure she worried about day and night.

With a relieved smile, she sighed softly in her heart. Child, this is all Mother can do for you.

"The road ahead can only be walked by you alone."