Great Scenery Plains, Lushwood.
Tall trees formed a dense canopy, their green branches twisting and tangling beneath clear, brilliant sunlight. South of Eastern Secret, facing Ascending Stars, lay Lushwood, the seat of the Wu Clan. It stretched for dozens of miles, with cultivators coming and going amid surging formation light.
Within the woods, a black-robed man walked slowly, his expression gloomy. His exposed aura marked him as a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator. Beside him walked a handsome young man in green robes patterned with gold.
"The clan has tightened its defenses lately. According to the elder, war may be coming."
Wu Hezhi suddenly stopped beneath the shade. His suppressed voice was barely audible. He swept a wary gaze around him, then turned toward the young man only after finding no trace of poisonous insects.
"Qinghe, the elder values you highly. Has he told you what Clan Leader Heyong intends to do?"
At these words, an almost imperceptible trace of indifference entered Wu Qinghe's eyes. He shook his head slightly and merely said:
"Uncle, the elder has shut himself away in the inner hall lately. When would I have had a chance to see him?"
"As for the clan leader's plans, they aren't something I can guess at. Why not ask him yourself, Uncle?"
Wu Hezhi's face darkened further. He wanted to lash out, but after glancing at Wu Qinghe's gold-patterned green robes, he restrained himself. Only a faint black curse script stirred across his face.
"Every last one of them relies on their talent. Heh. One day..."
Wu Hezhi soon regained his usual expression. Among the Wu Clan's He generation, only three had distinguished themselves. Wu Heyong had returned from the dead with a drastically changed temperament, slain Wu Hecun, and now promoted him.
He still remembered that day. He