The Zhang Lineage, the Greatest Lineage in the Heavenly Abyss Domain; Su Chanyue Returned to the Su Lineage

"Father, this Chen Lineage probably has ill intentions! Our Zhang Lineage has a branch bloodline in Langya City, but now there hasn't been a single word from them." A young man looked at the middle-aged man beside him and spoke indignantly.

"Now this Chen Lineage has popped up and announced outright that it occupies all of Langya City. Did they ask our Zhang Lineage for permission?"

The Zhang Lineage's patriarch, Zhang Yuanba, had a flickering gaze. He seemed to be searching his memories for the origins of this Chen Lineage.

"Kun'er, I've already sent people to investigate. We should have news soon."

Zhang Kun clenched his fists. "I just can't accept it. Langya City may not compare to this place, but it's still sizable. What right does the Chen Lineage have to occupy a city like our Zhang Lineage? How arrogant!"

"Doesn't that mean our lineage, the greatest in the Heavenly Abyss Domain, has to stand on equal footing with some little lineage?"

Zhang Yuanba pondered for a long while, but still could not work out why this Chen Lineage was so brazen.

"Regardless, we'll know once we meet them. Apart from the few great lineages in the Heavenly Abyss Domain, no other lineage can occupy a city! Not even a small one."

Just then...

A steward ran in, his expression somewhat grave.

"Patriarch, we've investigated the matter. All of Langya City is sealed off now. I'm afraid our Zhang Lineage's branch has already been wiped out. Otherwise, not even a scrap of news getting out would be impossible..."

You call that investigating the matter? Zhang Yuanba considered it briefly.

"Langya City's city lord was at the ninth level of the Transcendent Realm, and our Zhang Lineage branch patriarch was at the seventh level. Anyone who could easily take control of Langya City would have to be at the Heavenly Origin Realm!"

Zhang Kun sneered. "A mere Heavenly Origin Realm cultivator? If the steward and I went, we could slap them dead!"

"Father, why not let me take some men to the Chen Lineage and destroy them?" He volunteered.

As a top lineage of the Heavenly Abyss Domain, they considered Heavenly Origin Realm cultivators mere ants.

"Kun'er, don't be careless," Zhang Yuanba said sternly. "Being at least at the Heavenly Origin Realm doesn't mean that's their actual realm. Besides, anyone who dares act so ostentatiously must have some strength."

The steward beside them hurriedly reminded them, "Patriarch, Young Master, there's only one Chen Lineage in Langya City. And this Chen Lineage once had a Void Return Realm ancestor, too. It was only after he disappeared that they ended up like this. Could their ancestor have returned?"

Indeed, he was curious as well.

Because he, the Zhang Lineage's steward, had originally been an elder of the Chen Lineage!

Zhang Kun frowned. "Void Return Realm?"

"Then it looks like a lineage elder will have to step in." The steward was only at the Spirit Transformation Realm. He would not be able to resolve matters if he went.

He could not slap the other party dead.

Zhang Yuanba thought for a moment. "That's very possible."

Even Spirit Transformation Realm and Void Return Realm cultivators were terrifying, ancestor-like existences in small lineages. But in their Zhang Lineage, they were merely stewards and various managers.

"Since this Chen Lineage wants to fight for a place, it will have to pay a price. All right, Kun'er, I'll arrange some men for you."

"Go intimidate this ant of a lineage!"

"Yes, Father." Zhang Kun's expression grew fervent.

His lineage had a Saint Realm ancestor whose terrifying strength allowed them to occupy the very highest position in the Heavenly Abyss Domain.

An ant of a lineage would have to pay for its arrogance.

"Also," Zhang Yuanba continued, "Kun'er, a lineage is ultimately just a lineage. As for your entry into the Falling Cloud Sect, I'll make the arrangements. After this, you must cultivate diligently."

"Father, I will." Just thinking about entering the greatest sect to cultivate made Zhang Kun's expression grow fervent.

He was a genius too, but he could not compare to the Heavenly Abyss Domain's top prodigies. As long as he could enter the Falling Cloud Sect, he would definitely become even stronger!

Moreover, the Su Lineage's daughter, Su Chanyue, had reportedly gone to the Falling Cloud Sect to become its holy maiden. As a result, the Su Lineage, which was far inferior to their Zhang Lineage, was now like a fish in water, with everyone giving them a wide berth.

Unfortunately, their Zhang Lineage had also wanted a marriage alliance with the Su Lineage, but had been refused on the grounds that Su Chanyue was already engaged. Who knew which brat had such good fortune?

Otherwise, they would have snatched such a beauty even if they had to use force. They could not do that now. They could not defeat a colossal power like the Falling Cloud Sect!

Then he would join it!

The Heavenly Abyss Domain, the Su Lineage.

Thud.

"Daughter, what are you doing?"

Su Chanyue knelt in obeisance as soon as she entered.

Su Wuzheng was completely baffled.

Su Chanyue did not dare raise her head. "Father, your daughter has been unfilial. I was wrong."

She kowtowed.

Even as a holy maiden, she did not dare refuse to admit her mistake. Because Chen Fan was someone even her sect could not afford to provoke.

She did not know how to explain things to her lineage now. She could bring glory to her lineage, but she could also bring disaster and losses-a lesson and a beating she had experienced firsthand!

Su Wuzheng sensed that something was wrong.

"Chanyue, is this about breaking off the engagement?"

He had just been mentioning Langya City, because this Chen Lineage had suddenly emerged recently with great fanfare.

Coincidentally, his daughter had also gone to the Chen Lineage in Langya City to break off her engagement. Could it be...

Su Chanyue did not dare get up. "Father, I broke off my engagement with Chen Fan, but..."

"That was your choice. As long as Chen Fan agreed, I wouldn't stop you either. But what?" Su Wuzheng naturally knew about all of this.

But with the Falling Cloud Sect involved, what could he say?

Su Chanyue stammered.

"But... Father, Chen Fan is an Emperor Realm expert."

"..." Su Wuzheng smiled easily. "Chanyue, don't joke with your father. Where have you been these past few days since breaking off the engagement, though? Why hasn't Uncle Fu come back either?"

Neither of them had come back, leaving him waiting for days without any news.

Su Chanyue had known her father would not believe her. Hadn't she been exactly the same at first?

She said bitterly, "Father, I'm not joking. Chen Fan truly is a Great Emperor. He's now occupied all of Langya City and turned it into Chen Lineage territory. My master and I have already met him."

"And Uncle Fu is also a member of the Chen Lineage, so he stayed there."

It hurt. It hurt so much.

It struck Su Wuzheng like a bolt from the blue. Was this a joke? A G-G-G-Great Emperor!

He had no attention left to spare for Uncle Fu.

"Chanyue, is what you said true?" Even his voice trembled.

"Father, every word is true," Su Chanyue said through gritted teeth.

Su Wuzheng instantly seemed to age immeasurably. If even the Falling Cloud Sect's sect master had appeared, then it could not be false.

With all the rumors as well, he had thought that perhaps an ancestor had returned to the Chen Lineage. He had never imagined it was Chen Fan!

How was that possible?

He immediately drew a deep breath, unable to calm down for a long time.

Standing with his hands behind his back, he looked at his daughter, who remained kneeling, and understood why she had admitted her mistake.

"I tried to persuade you back then. But now that it has already happened, this was your choice. As for the consequences, you will bear them yourself!"

Attaching herself to the Falling Cloud Sect was good, but she had ultimately abandoned what was right! Now look-she had picked up a sesame seed only to lose a watermelon.

Leaving aside why Chen Fan was a Great Emperor, since no one knew.

That title alone meant he could neither be defied nor offended. Who could bear the humiliation of a broken engagement? Perhaps only a Great Emperor could look lightly upon everything.

And Chen Fan's agreement to break off the engagement was ultimately a final acknowledgment of the friendship between their two lineages. He only hoped Chen Fan would not harm his daughter...

Their Su Lineage only had a Tribulation Transcendence Realm ancestor presiding over it in the Heavenly Abyss Domain, far inferior to the top lineages. Its standing had only risen because of the Falling Cloud Sect. And now? How could they possibly afford to provoke a Great Emperor!

"Father, I was wrong..."

"Wrong? What did you do wrong! In the end, it was merely that heart unwilling to accept mediocrity, choosing to abandon righteousness for your own benefit!"

"This is the cycle of cause and effect. You need only be willing to bear all the consequences. Chanyue, get up. Our Su Lineage simply wasn't fated to have it..."

Meanwhile, after learning the news, the various great sects of the Heavenly Abyss Domain chose to watch the spectacle.

Because the rise of a lineage caused no loss to the sects' interests.

Sects and lineages were powers of different natures.

Lineages dwelled within the bustle of the mortal world, while sects stood beyond it, unconcerned with its smoke and fire.

Unless this lineage possessed the strength to suppress the entire Heavenly Abyss Domain and shake the sects.

That seemed impossible even to contemplate...

They might as well quietly watch how things developed, let the outside world make a fuss, and eat melons.

But several sects and holy lands were frantically busy, because experts from their sects had gone somewhere unknown and perished outside...

Over the past few days, Chen Fan...

Had been checking in all along, reaping plentiful rewards.

He had obtained a Saint-grade cultivation technique, a Saint-grade heart method, and an ancient pill formula.

They were of no use for the time being.

Of course, there had been no shortage of baby-making incidents over these past few days.

Ling Qingcheng came to see him at midnight.

Otherwise, he sent Fang Yuehua away and went to see Ling Qingcheng.

It was not that he wanted to sneak around. Ling Qingcheng was not ready yet, so they could only have an underground relationship for the time being.

And recently, with all sorts of resources supporting the training of the few Chen Lineage disciples, he had also received rewards such as pills and spirit stones.

Training Bai Fengyao and guiding her cultivation of her techniques had likewise yielded considerable rewards.

That day.

[Ding, detected a providence-blessed prodigy with top-tier talent...]

Outside the city?

Chen Fan instantly vanished from where he stood. Since they were passing by, they should not leave...