The Ji Family's Decision

Ji Tianming was on the verge of losing his mind. Make his son, the Ji Family's divine son, Yuan Zhexian's servant? That was absolutely impossible. He immediately said, "Yuan Zhexian, do you really think my Ji Family fears you?"

As he spoke, his Supreme Saint cultivation erupted. The sky beyond the Yuan Clan slowly darkened. When a Saint grew angry, heaven and earth changed color. The terrifying presence made everyone there struggle to breathe, bearing down on them with crushing weight.

Then another presence, even more terrifying than Ji Tianming's, burst forth and pressed his down.

It was Yuan Changsheng's presence.

Yuan Changsheng said calmly to Ji Tianming, "Ji Tianming, for the sake of our acquaintance, I'll give you a warning. If you dare attack my son, then everyone your Ji Family brought here today had better prepare to fall here."

Ji Tianming knew Yuan Changsheng well. He was absolutely the kind of person who did what he said.

Faced with the father and son's overbearing stance, Ji Tianming's temper left him. He said to Yuan Changsheng and Yuan Zhexian, "I cannot give you an answer on this matter. I need to return to the family and discuss it with the ancestors. What do you say?"

Yuan Changsheng looked at Yuan Zhexian and asked, "Zhexian, what do you think?"

Yuan Zhexian thought for a moment, then answered Ji Tianming, "Fine, but you have five days to discuss it. If you haven't reached a decision after five days, or if you go back and act as though nothing happened, then make sure Ji Jingtian never shows himself for the rest of his life. Otherwise, I will kill him. Or you can prepare to face the Yuan Clan's wrath."

Looking at Yuan Zhexian, who remained as overbearing as ever, Ji Tianming felt his anger reach its peak. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he would lose control on the spot. He said coldly, "Fine. We'll give you an answer in five days. Let's go." With that, he led the Ji Family away.

Watching the Ji Family leave, Yuan Changsheng clapped his hands and said to everyone else, "Everyone, let the banquet and the exchanges continue."

He ordered the servants to set right the things overturned during the fight, then took Yuan Zhexian over to the Yu Clan and the Tai'a Lineage.

When Yuan Clan matriarch Yu Lingqing, who was chatting and laughing with the Yu Clan matriarch, saw Yuan Changsheng and Yuan Zhexian approach, she pulled Yuan Zhexian over to the Yu Clan patriarch and introduced him. "Zhexian, this is the Yu Clan patriarch, your uncle."

Yuan Zhexian bowed slightly. "Greetings, Uncle."

Looking at such a perfect nephew, the Yu Clan patriarch said with great satisfaction, "Zhexian is a taboo heavenly prodigy with half our Yu Clan's blood in him, after all."

"Good."

"Once I return, I'll tell those old fellows to make Zhexian the Yu Clan's imperial son."

Yuan Zhexian and Yu Chenfeng, the Yu Clan's divine son, both froze for a moment. The former was puzzled, while the latter was surprised. Then Yu Chenfeng said to Yuan Zhexian, "Cousin, you may not know this, but in the countless epochs since the Yu Clan's origins, there have only been two occasions when a divine son and an imperial son lived in the same era. Now, with you and me, this is the third."

Yu Chenfeng was now twenty-eight. He was a monster of the ages in the present generation, and his talent and aptitude were no worse than those of the Heavenly Dao Ancient Tablet's top ten.

Yuan Zhexian turned to Yuan Changsheng. "Father, is that all right?" Yuan Changsheng smiled and nodded.

"Your maternal grandfather was the previous Yu Clan patriarch, and your uncle is the current one. There's no problem with you becoming the Yu Clan's imperial son, and our Yuan Clan is very much in favor of it. It's all right."

Yuan Zhexian immediately understood the intention and said, "Oh." Then everyone chatted about family matters, one remark following another.

Once they had finished speaking with the Yu Clan, Yuan Changsheng took Yuan Zhexian over to the Tai'e Family. The Tai'e patriarch was a figure from the same generation as Yuan Changsheng, but unlike Ji Tianming, he had a particularly good relationship with Yuan Changsheng.

Looking at Yuan Zhexian, the Tai'a patriarch was very satisfied with this prospective son-in-law. He was glad he had not come into conflict with Yuan Changsheng back then and had instead built a very good relationship with him. Otherwise, he could not have had such a fine prospective son-in-law now. He said to Yuan Zhexian, "Divine son, you and Qingcheng have both grown up now. It's time to give serious thought to your lifelong union. You should marry soon."

Yuan Zhexian froze at those words. A lifelong union? Marry?

Seeing Yuan Zhexian's bewilderment, Yuan Changsheng explained, "After you were born, the ninth ancestor and the Tai'a Lineage's fifth ancestor were discussing the Dao together. Then they started talking about you and Qingcheng. The more they talked, the more enthusiastic they became, so they settled the matter and arranged your marriage."

After listening to his father's explanation, Yuan Zhexian said to the Tai'a patriarch, "Greetings, Tai'a patriarch. I've only just come of age, and my heart is set on the path of cultivation. I want to keep surpassing myself and sweep aside everything in my path. It's too early for matters of love. I haven't considered them yet."

The Tai'e patriarch grew a little anxious at Yuan Zhexian's words. Years ago, the Tai'e Family's fifth ancestor had told Tai'a Qingcheng about the matter, but she had been very resistant at the time. Now he had brought it up with Yuan Zhexian and received much the same answer.

Seeing the Tai'a patriarch's anxiety, Yuan Changsheng smiled faintly. "Let's leave the children's affairs for them to resolve themselves. It won't help for us to fret over them."

He gave the Tai'a patriarch a meaningful look and said, "Let's go back to drinking." Without waiting for Yuan Zhexian, he pulled the Tai'a patriarch away to find old friends and drink.

The rest of the gathering passed with only minor exchanges. And so, after a full day, Yuan Zhexian's coming-of-age ceremony came to an end.

Grand Firmament Heaven. The Ji Family.

In the Ji Family's main hall, all of its core figures were present, along with several ancestors.

"It was my fault that Jingtian lost to Yuan Zhexian this time. I was too impatient and rashly let Jingtian fight them without first finding out how strong Yuan Zhexian was."

"But I never imagined Yuan Zhexian's strength would be so terrifying. Everyone has seen Jingtian's strength for themselves. Not only does he have a supreme physique, but he also has a supreme Great Emperor secret art, the Great Void Scripture, and even a Great Emperor weapon."

"Though we can't say he's absolutely invincible among those at the same level, he certainly is one of the invincible ones at his level. I never imagined that Jingtian, powerful as he is, would be defeated by Yuan Zhexian in a single move."

"If I hadn't blocked Yuan Zhexian's second move in time, Jingtian would probably already have fallen."

"They're both taboo monsters, so how could the gap between them be so great? Now the Yuan Clan's divine son demands that Jingtian go to his Divine Son Palace as a servant. If he doesn't, he'll kill Jingtian on sight. Although our family is unquestionably one of the powerful lineages in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, we Ji Family are still somewhat weaker than the Yuan Clan, a lineage so unfathomably deep and terrifying."

"Pointless sacrifice is the most meaningless thing of all. That's why I came back to discuss it with everyone. And we only have five days to decide."

The Ji Family's sixth ancestor, who guarded the family in this era, said, "How about I wake the third ancestor and have him use the Art of Heavenly Secrets to peer into the future before we reach a decision?"

The Ji Family's third ancestor might not have been as powerful in cultivation as the other ancestors, but his Art of Heavenly Secrets ranked among the very best in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. In his youth, he had happened upon a portion of Great Emperor Tianji's Art of Heavenly Secrets. Only after cultivating it for countless epochs had he attained his present mastery.

"Good! Let's do that." With no other solution, everyone present could only have the third ancestor take a look first.

The Ji Family's sixth ancestor vanished from where he stood and went to the ancestral grounds to wake the third ancestor, who was still sleeping. The third ancestor awoke in his divine source jade coffin, and after the sixth ancestor explained the situation, he followed him to the Ji Family's main hall. At his arrival, the Ji Family members bowed. "Greetings, Third Ancestor."

"The situation is urgent. There's no need for formalities," the third ancestor said with a wave of his hand. He left the hall and went to the open plaza outside.

Everyone hurried after him.

In the center of the plaza, the Ji Family's third ancestor released the presence of a Quasi-Emperor. A white halo appeared beneath his feet, covered in mysterious, inscrutable symbols, and shot straight into the sky.

The sky above the Ji Family dimmed in an instant, and a massive dark cloud appeared. The third ancestor's eyes turned white and shone with white light. He looked up at the enormous cloud, and a beam of white light shot toward it.

After the light struck the cloud, it dispersed, revealing an image. Only the third ancestor, who had cast the Art of Heavenly Secrets, could see it.

The image showed a white-haired figure dressed in white, holding an unparalleled divine sword in his right hand, with a divine bell floating above his left palm.

His back was to all living beings, and he faced the heavens.

The presence emanating from that single image filled the third ancestor with terror. His whole body trembled uncontrollably, as though he were an ant.

He gritted his teeth and steadied his trembling body, wanting to see the figure's face clearly. But the closer the image came, the greater the backlash he suffered. Blood began to flow from the seven orifices of his face, yet he continued drawing on the power of heavenly secrets, trying to make out the face.

Almost. Just a little more. Just as he was about to see the person's face clearly-

Pfft...

He spat out a mouthful of blood. The Ji Family's third ancestor could hold on no longer. The immense backlash left him unable to stand steadily, and he fell backward. The sixth ancestor reacted quickly, flashing forward to catch him.

The third ancestor's once middle-aged face had grown much older. He was pale and listless. He said weakly to the sixth ancestor, "Yuan... Yuan..." Before he could finish, he lost consciousness.

The sixth ancestor could not understand what kind of image could have inflicted such a tremendous backlash on the third ancestor, causing his life force to drain away at an accelerating rate. He might even fall because of it.

The sixth ancestor knew the third ancestor's Art of Heavenly Secrets very well. Through several great calamities of the age and dark upheavals, the third ancestor had relied on it to steer the Ji Family out of danger.

Now the third ancestor had used the art again and suffered such a backlash. That could only mean one thing: an irreversible situation would arise in the great age to come, or a heaven-defying person would appear.

Yuan? Could it be the Yuan Clan's divine son?

He immediately realized something and said to Ji Tianming, "Tianming, take Jingtian to the Yuan Clan at once. But he can't remain a servant forever. See if you can discuss a time limit with the Yuan Clan's divine son. Jingtian is the Ji Family's future patriarch, after all. And tell the divine son that our family is willing to submit forever and never betray them."

When the sixth ancestor finished speaking, the Ji Family members could hardly believe it.

They were about to ask why, but before the words could leave their mouths, the sixth ancestor cut them off. "Shut up. This is the ancestral grounds' decision. Anyone who questions it will be expelled from the Ji Family." Without waiting for a response, he took the unconscious third ancestor back to the ancestral grounds.

Ji Tianming then took Ji Jingtian to the Yuan Clan without hesitation.

Yuan Zhexian stood in the main hall of the Divine Son Palace, looking at the newly arrived Ji Tianming and Ji Jingtian, as well as his own father. He smiled faintly. He knew the Ji Family had compromised.

Ji Tianming said to Yuan Zhexian, "Divine Son Zhexian, we've decided to let Ji Jingtian become your servant, but may I discuss one matter with you?"

"Oh? Please speak, Ji Family Patriarch."

"Whatever else he may be, Jingtian is the Ji Family's future patriarch. So I ask that you give him a time limit, Divine Son Zhexian. And my Ji Family will submit to your Yuan Clan forever and never betray you."

Yuan Changsheng was slightly startled to hear this. The mythical Ji Family was unquestionably one of the most powerful lineages in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.

A lineage like that had possessed its own pride and arrogance since ancient times. Such a proud and arrogant lineage would never allow itself to submit to anyone. Yet today it had actually proposed such a thing for Ji Jingtian's sake.

Yuan Changsheng said, "Ji Tianming, your Ji Family is a mythical lineage, after all. Several epochs ago, your first and second ancestors were friends of our ancestors. It might be inappropriate for you to submit to my Yuan Clan. Forget submission. But my Yuan Clan is willing to form an alliance with you. What do you think?"

Ji Tianming could scarcely believe Yuan Changsheng's words. The submission of a mythical lineage was not merely a matter of one plus one equaling two for the one it submitted to. It was certainly greater than two.

Yuan Changsheng had actually refused. Ji Tianming accepted without hesitation.

With the matter settled, Ji Tianming said to Yuan Changsheng, unwilling to resign himself, "Yuan Changsheng, I've lived in your shadow for tens of thousands of years. I thought I could escape it through Jingtian's talent and aptitude. I never imagined that in the end..."

Seeing how stubborn Ji Tianming was, Yuan Changsheng tried to counsel him. "You've lived for tens of thousands of years, yet you still don't understand the present state of affairs? We belong to the past. The world belongs to these young people now. If you keep clinging to your old obsessions instead of seeing the present situation clearly, then once they emerge into the world in this golden age, your Ji Family will vanish like smoke and become a thing of the past."

Ji Tianming asked in confusion, "They? You mean the myriad races emerging into the world?"

"Yes."

When the two had finished speaking, Yuan Zhexian said, "Since you've shown such sincerity, let's make it a thousand years. After a thousand years, Ji Jingtian can decide for himself whether to leave or stay."

He then addressed Ji Jingtian, who had remained silent behind them. "Are you willing?"

Ji Jingtian, who had already gained a general understanding of the situation, had no objection. "I apologize to the divine son for what happened before. From now on, I will serve you with all my heart and will never harbor divided loyalties." He bowed to Yuan Zhexian, then stood behind him.

Ji Tianming also came to a realization at Yuan Changsheng's words. He solemnly bowed to Yuan Changsheng, who did not avoid it and accepted the gesture.

After all, a single sentence from him had saved the entire Ji Family. Ji Tianming gave Ji Jingtian a few final instructions, then left the Yuan Clan to return and discuss the future with the ancestors.

Yuan Zhexian summoned Yuan Zifeng and Yuan Yan'er to help Ji Jingtian become accustomed to the Divine Son Palace.

Then Yuan Zhexian asked Yuan Changsheng in confusion, "Father, why didn't you accept the Ji Family's submission? Is it because their family is too weak for us to consider?"

"What am I to do with you? The mythical Ji Family is unquestionably very powerful in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. But there are things you can't judge by appearances alone. The golden age is also an age of chaos, and the power of karma will arise."

"Every force in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands will be tainted by it. The mythical lineage is already immensely powerful. If their family submits to us, we will have to bear the Power of Karma of the Ji Family. If we merely form an alliance, they will bear that power themselves."

"And when that time comes, how many of the immortal imperial clans, imperial dynasties, and holy lands in the entire Nine Heavens and Ten Lands will be left?"