“We must abolish the Saint Daughter Yao Liuli’s lineage and absorb it into our own.”
The moment the words left his lips, the expressions of the various branch Old Ancestors of the Yao Family turned grim. This was nothing short of a hostile takeover! The Yao Family had long been balanced by the rivalry between the Saint Son’s and Saint Daughter’s lineages. While the Saint Daughter’s line had always been at a disadvantage, ever since Saint Daughter Yao Liuli’s ‘incident,’ their lineage had been relentlessly suppressed. And now, with the Saint Son’s lineage returning from the Bronze Ancient Palace, laden with Star Stones and heaven-defying opportunities, they had an undeniable advantage.
Yao Feng pressed his advantage. “The Supreme Path is opening! The Yao Family cannot afford internal strife any longer! We must unite as one!”
The other branch Old Ancestors inwardly seethed. This was merely a pretext, using the guise of “internal strife” to crush them. Yet, they were powerless. The tide had turned decisively. Only the Saint Daughter’s lineage possessed the strength to truly challenge the Saint Son’s, but in their current state, who among them would dare?
Ancestor Yao Chen, the venerable Three-rotation Quasi-Dao Supreme, fell into a moment of contemplation. “You speak wisely,” he finally declared. “The Yao Family is a single entity; we cannot afford further internal conflict.”
Yao Feng bowed deeply, a barely concealed smirk playing on his lips. “Then from this day forward, the Yao Family shall acknowledge only a Saint Son, and no Saint Daughter. Throughout our clan’s long history, the Saint Daughter’s lineage has proven unreliable. Women, after all, are simply not suited for such positions!”
“Yao Liuli herself is the prime example!”
The remaining members of the Saint Daughter’s lineage bristled with fury. “You dare—”
Ancestor Yao Chen cut them off with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Enough. If this is the path forward, then let all lineages be merged, and the Saint Daughter’s lineage abolished!”
Yao Feng struggled to contain his triumphant grin, turning to the Old Ancestors of the now-doomed Saint Daughter’s lineage. “Since the Ancestor has decreed it, then I’m afraid you’ll all have to make some sacrifices.”
Yao Chen continued, “Yao Feng, you shall now have full authority over all Yao Family matters. When the Supreme Path finally opens, I will naturally emerge from my seclusion.”
With that, he intended to return to his slumber.
Just as Ancestor Yao Chen prepared to withdraw, Yao Feng spoke up again. “Ancestor, there is one more matter.”
Yao Chen frowned. “Speak.”
“In three months, it will be our Yao Family’s centennial Pill Refining Exchange Conference,” Yao Feng clarified. “Will we still proceed with it this time?”
Yao Chen waved a dismissive hand. “Everything proceeds as planned! Use our clan’s elixirs to acquire more cultivation resources. Let each take what they need.”
“As you command!”
With his decree delivered, Ancestor Yao Chen vanished, returning to his deep slumber.
Yao Feng, wasting no time, immediately announced, “In three months, at the Yao Family’s centennial Pill Refining Exchange Conference, we shall publicly abolish the Saint Daughter’s lineage and merge all branches!”
“Now, all branch lineages, step forward to receive your assignments. Our Yao Family must contact numerous major powers and invite them to partake in this grand event!”
The various lineages dispersed, their faces a mix of resentment and forced compliance.
Meanwhile, Yao Baili made his way to Sin Valley.
There, Yao Liuli, clad in a pale green gown, her face exquisitely beautiful and her eyes like distant stars, gazed at a portrait in her hands. A tender, maternal warmth softened her features as her heart yearned for Ye Chen.
“Chen’er,” she whispered, “it’s Mother’s fault.”
Yao Baili entered, his expression somber. “Saint Daughter, the Saint Son’s lineage is planning a major move.”
Yao Liuli’s body trembled, her pale green gown doing little to conceal her perfect, slender figure. “Are they finally making their move against us?”
Yao Baili recounted the recent events, sighing heavily. “The Ancestor’s decree is absolute. The Saint Son’s lineage has consolidated its power.”
“Our two lineages have clashed for years; they will undoubtedly savor this humiliation. And in three months, at our clan’s centennial Pill Refining Exchange Conference, Yao Feng intends to publicly shame us, and you, before the entire Southern Wilds.”
Yao Liuli’s eyes welled with tears. “All I ask now is to see Chen’er and… him.”
Seventeen years of sunless imprisonment in Sin Valley had long stripped her of any ambition to contend for the Great Dao. Chen’er was her entire world!
Yao Baili sighed. “The Supreme Path is upon us, and all efforts are for the Ancestor to Attain Dao Supreme. However, if the Saint Son’s lineage oversteps, we will not stand idly by!”
A flicker of ruthlessness entered his voice.
A faint smile touched Yao Liuli’s lips. “In three months, the Grand Dao Sect should also arrive. Then I can finally see Chen’er.”
I wonder if Peak Master Lu will make an appearance, Yao Baili mused inwardly.
***
Meanwhile, as the cultivators of Fangzhou frantically spread news of Lu Xuan, the entire Southern Wilds erupted in a frenzy.
“How is White God still so utterly invincible?!” people exclaimed. “The Heaven and Earth Change had no effect on him! Even after emerging from the Bronze Ancient Palace, White God remains the undisputed paramount figure of the Southern Wilds!”
“Consider this: how many formidable experts did the three great powers—the Demon Court, Dark Shadow Island, and the Holy Alliance—deploy this time? Over a dozen One-rotation Quasi-Dao Supremes, and more than twenty Half-step Supremes!”
“Such terrifying might, unleashed to besiege the Grand Dao Sect, yet it vanished without a trace! All of them perished!”
“And White God even stormed Dark Shadow Island, the Demon Court, and the Holy Alliance directly! Yet, not a single one of them dared to utter a sound!”
“Only White God could achieve such a feat!”
Whispers spread like wildfire: “Could the Supreme Fruit Position of this era truly be destined for White God?”
“I recall,” one cultivator murmured, “since White God first appeared, he has never known defeat!”
“That man is simply invincible!”
“What if,” another ventured, “White God is actually Ancestor Dao Yi reincarnated?”
As this news reverberated across the Southern Wilds, the reactions from major powers were swift and intense.
At the Supreme Profound Sect, within the ancient stone sculpture of their founder, Liu Ruyan...
Nangong Baixue concluded her cultivation, a faint divine radiance shimmering around her. Her long dress billowed softly, revealing glimpses of her delicate, fair legs.
Qin Wang, who had been secretly observing from the sidelines, felt a familiar heat rise in his loins. Her form, viewed from any angle, was a masterpiece, a landscape of exquisite curves and alluring peaks. He truly believed Nangong Baixue was utterly perfect. Qin Wang mused inwardly that he and Nangong Baixue had already crossed many lines, yet one final step remained elusive. No matter how he pleaded, she consistently refused. For this very reason, she had even brutally beaten him several times. Still, he knew better than to push his luck.
Just then, Nangong Baixue cast a sidelong glance at Qin Wang, and a silk ribbon on her shoulder subtly slipped, revealing a flash of snow-white skin. Qin Wang understood. He immediately approached, embracing Nangong Baixue, his hands beginning to explore. Nangong Baixue let out a soft, languid moan. “Mmm… Qin Wang…”
Qin Wang gazed intently at Nangong Baixue’s face. “Baixue, what is your true connection to Ancestor Liu Ruyan?”
Nangong Baixue exhaled a breath like fragrant orchids. “I suspect I might be a wisp of Liu Ruyan’s obsession. But I cannot be certain.”
Qin Wang was utterly stunned. A wisp of Liu Ruyan’s obsession! A thrill shot through Qin Wang. He suddenly remembered Ancestor Dao Yi, sealed within the sculpture in the corner. Doesn’t that mean I just… defiled Ancestor Liu Ruyan? He inwardly offered a moment of silence for Dao Yi. “Holy heavens!” Qin Wang cried out in a burst of excited shock.
Nangong Baixue lowered her gaze.
A few breaths later, Qin Wang lay panting on the ground. “Baixue, something feels off. If you’re truly a wisp of the Ancestor’s obsession, why only manifest in this era?”
Nangong Baixue replied, “It’s not necessarily the first time. Several Primordial Yin Bodies have appeared throughout the history of the Southern Wilds.”
“I wonder who got to enjoy the benefits of those?” Qin Wang grumbled, a subtle green glow of humiliation flickering around him.
Nangong Baixue lay back, signaling it was Qin Wang’s turn to ‘be busy.’ She found Qin Wang’s quickness quite satisfactory now.
Nangong Baixue stated, “In this life, I shall Attain Dao Supreme. I will kill Ye Chen to prove my Dao. Though, truthfully, a part of me still holds affection for him.”
Qin Wang merely pursed his lips. He didn’t care in the slightest. He had already claimed Nangong Baixue’s body; her heart was irrelevant.
Nangong Baixue poked Qin Wang with a slender jade finger. “Don’t fret. Once I Attain Dao Supreme, I will break your Heavenly Dao Oath. After all, it’s merely a Supreme Tier restriction.”
Qin Wang was ecstatic. “Baixue, you are simply the best! I am your loyal dog, hehehe…”
Not long after.
Outside the stone sculpture, several Old Ancestors descended, divine rainbows swirling beneath their feet. “Saint Daughter, your foresight is truly unparalleled!” the Old Ancestors declared loudly.
A moment later, Nangong Baixue, having tidied her clothes, slowly emerged. “What is it?” Her face had transformed into an expression as cold as ice.
Beside her, Qin Wang remained obsequiously subservient.
“Saint Daughter,” one of the Old Ancestors reported, “the three major powers of the Holy Alliance, the Demon Court, and Dark Shadow Island, who went to besiege the Grand Dao Sect… they all perished!”
“Is that truly so?” A flicker of surprise crossed Nangong Baixue’s eyes. “The Grand Dao Sect possesses such profound hidden strength?”