Outer City of Cloudstream City, Eastern District.
The Chen family residence.
The estate, which used to buzz with a vibrant liveliness, now felt as though it was suffocated by an invisible shroud of gloom, making it hard to even breathe.
Servants hurried through the corridors, their heads bowed in absolute silence.
Even the shouts of the disciples in the martial arts arena sounded weak and spiritless. Every strike and stance seemed weighed down by a heavy burden on their minds.
Hushed murmurs drifted from hidden corners, and deep worry was etched into everyone's brows.
"Did you hear? The Old Ancestor... his foundation might be irreparably damaged. Even True Lord Green Wood from the Heavenly Azure Sect was helpless... Sigh!"
A young disciple sighed to his companion in the corner of a corridor. Many in the family had entirely lost their focus on cultivation because of this matter.
"More than that! I heard his dantian is damaged and his divine soul suffered severe injuries. He's still unconscious... Even if there's a one-in-a-thousand chance he wakes up, his path of the Great Dao is ruined, and his cultivation might even regress." Another
"Watch your words!" a slightly older disciple snapped, though his own eyes were filled with the same anxiety. "The Family Head and the elders will handle this. We juniors don't need to worry about it.
Besides... don't we still have cousin Yulian?
She married into the Xu family! She is Xu Chongfei's wife!
She wouldn't just sit back and watch our Chen family decline to the level of the Hua clan, right?"
"But she's a member of the Xu family now!" another Chen disciple countered. "Didn't the Hua clan end up raising Perfected Person Feng's descendants just because Hua Qingxue took power?
And now, the Hua clan is completely fractured. Her descendants changed their surname back to Feng to acknowledge their true ancestors."
"Stop with these baseless guesses!" A plump middle-aged man walked over, scolding them in a deep voice. "Do your own duties and focus on your cultivation. Cease this nonsense before you panic everyone!"
The disciples immediately went silent and scattered.
This man was Chen Tianlei, Chen Yulian's father and the current First Elder of the Chen family.
Among all the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Chen family, his strength ranked first.
He let out a soft sigh and walked toward the administrative hall with his hands clasped behind his back.
Inside the room, Family Head Chen Tianfang was buried in his work, handling clan affairs.
"Big brother."
"Tianlei, you're here." Chen Tianfang looked up. "What brings you to see me?"
"The atmosphere in the family has been terrible lately. The juniors are constantly gossiping about Grandfather's situation. If we don't think of a solution soon, the morale of our Chen family will completely collapse."
Hearing this, a deep sorrow surfaced in Chen Tianfang's eyes. "How could I not know?"
"But right now, we can only wait for news from the City Lord's Mansion. No matter what, our Chen family must prepare for the worst."
"By the way, were you able to contact niece Yulian?"
"She and Chongfei have been out traveling for months. Even the Xu family hasn't heard from them, so how could I?" Chen Tianlei sighed gently, a flash of concern for his daughter passing through his eyes.
"Xu Chongfei is currently the only prominent descendant of the Xu family's direct line, and his innate aptitude is extraordinarily outstanding. The Xu family won't let anything happen to him. With Yulian by his side, she should be safe.
So, you don't need to worry too much."
"I hope so."
Chen Tianlei didn't say much more, but he feared that with the current conflict between the four major factions, the other three might target Xu family disciples just to deal a blow to them.
Right at this moment.
A gentle breeze suddenly swept in from outside the door.
A tall, slender figure dressed in a deep purple cloud-patterned dharma robe seemed to appear out of thin air, standing quietly in the center of the hall.
The newcomer stood as straight as a pine. Although his face was slightly gaunt, a vibrant inner light radiated from him. The slight frost at his temples didn't make him look old; instead, it added an air of profound composure, like one who had weathered countless storms.
Chen Tianfang and Chen Tianlei looked as if they had been struck by lightning. They bolted out of their chairs, their eyes wide and locked onto this familiar yet somewhat different figure.
For a moment, they forgot to breathe, wondering if they were dreaming.
"Grand... Grandfather?!" Chen Tianfang's voice was hoarse and trembling, filled with a mix of unbelievable ecstasy and shock as he was the first to snap back to reality.
Chen Tianlei stumbled half a step forward, his lips quivering. "Grandfather! Is it really you? Are you..."
At this moment, Chen Changge's aura was perfectly harmonious and enduring. Gone was any trace of the decaying gloom from when he was critically injured and on the verge of death. Instead, he faintly exuded a profound majesty that surpassed his past self.
Chen Changge's gaze swept over the unhideable exhaustion and fear on his two closest descendants' faces. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes before melting into a warm, steady sense of relief.
He gave a slight nod, the corners of his lips curving up into a faint smile. "Indeed. Thanks to True Lord Withered Glory, I have completely recovered. I even found a blessing in disguise, and my strength has grown a bit."
"That's wonderful!"
The word "recovered" instantly shattered the tense anxiety gripping Chen Tianfang and Chen Tianlei's hearts.
"Truly?! Grandfather, are you... are you completely healed? Your divine soul as well..."
Chen Tianfang took a large stride forward, his face twitching with excitement as he carefully examined Chen Changge's condition, still unable to fully believe it.
After all, he had seen Chen Changge's injuries with his own eyes. It had seemed absolutely hopeless.
"A one-in-ten-thousand chance, and it fell upon you, Grandfather! It seems the heavens haven't abandoned our Chen family after all!"
An immense wave of joy crashed over him, making Chen Tianfang's voice choke with emotion.
Chen Tianlei's eyes turned completely red, and he rambled incoherently, repeating, "This is wonderful!"
Both men subconsciously exhaled the stagnant air they had been holding in for so long. They exchanged a glance, seeing the euphoric relief mirrored in each other's eyes.
With the Old Ancestor here, the Chen family once again had its pillar of strength!
All their worries, fears, and even their confusion about the future vanished in an instant.
"This truly was a narrow escape from death, proving our Chen family's destiny is far from over. I will explain the details later," Chen Changge said. "For now, let's put the minds of the family's disciples at ease."
Chen Tianlei immediately replied, "Your grandson will gather all the disciples of the clan at once!"
With that, he spun around and marched out. His strides were so forceful they seemed to carry the sound of wind and thunder. The gloom of the past many days was swept completely clean, leaving behind only fiery passion.
A short while later, the Cloud-Startling Bell, used only to summon the entire clan in emergencies, tolled resoundingly from deep within the Chen estate.
The grand and urgent chimes instantly echoed through every corner of the residence.
"It's the Cloud-Startling Bell! The entire clan is being assembled!"
"What happened? Could it be..."
"Hurry! Head to the martial arts arena at once!"
Whether they were disciples deep in cultivation, deacons handling mundane affairs, patrolling guards, or servants in the courtyards, everyone felt their hearts jolt at the sound of the bell.
Despite their confusion and even apprehension, no one dared to delay for a single moment. Dropping whatever they were doing, they converged toward the massive central martial arts arena like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.
In the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the once-empty martial arts arena was packed with a dense crowd.
Hundreds of Chen family disciples stood in orderly formation. The front rows consisted of core direct line members and those with higher cultivation bases, followed by the side branches and the younger generation.
The outermost perimeter was filled with numerous guards and servants, all wearing expressions of utmost reverence.
Doubt and shock were written across their faces, and low murmurs hummed through the crowd, rising and falling like the tide.
"The Cloud-Startling Bell was suddenly rung. Has something major happened?"
"Could it be... is there definitive news regarding the Old Ancestor? Is it good or bad?"
"Looking at the expressions of the Family Head and Elder Tianlei earlier, they didn't seem sorrowful... Could it be..."
"Watch your words! We'll know once the Family Head and the elders arrive."
Just as all sorts of speculations and unease permeated the air, several figures quietly appeared on the high platform at the front of the martial arts arena.
The leading figure wore a purple robe and a jade crown. He stood as tall and unyielding as a mountain. Though his temples were slightly frosted with white, his face radiated a divine light. If this wasn't Chen Changge, who else could it be?
Behind him stood Chen Tianfang and Chen Tianlei in solemn posture, though their faces were positively glowing.
The arena first fell entirely silent, so quiet a dropped pin could be heard.
Everyone's gaze uniformly zeroed in on that purple-robed figure, almost unable to believe their own eyes.
Then, that immense shock erupted into a torrential flood of ecstasy!
"Old Ancestor! It's the Old Ancestor!"
"The Old Ancestor has returned! He's unharmed!"
"The heavens bless the Chen family! The Old Ancestor has recovered!"
Cheers, gasps of awe, and irrepressible sobs of joy instantly echoed throughout the martial arts arena, soaring straight up to the clouds!
Many trembled with excitement, their eyes brimming with hot tears. The terror, oppression, and despair that had haunted them for days were completely transformed into an indescribable jubilation and invigoration.
It was unclear who took the lead to bow first.
In an instant, the hundreds of people in the martial arts arena—disciples, guards, and servants alike—turned to face the high platform. They cupped their hands to their foreheads and bowed deeply, their voices roaring together like rolling thunder:
"Congratulations on your recovery and return, Old Ancestor! Wishing the Old Ancestor eternal peace!"
Their voices shook the roof tiles, carrying emotion that pierced straight to the heart.
Chen Changge stood quietly on the platform. His gaze slowly swept over the flushed, excited faces below, taking in everyone's expressions.
He didn't speak immediately, simply allowing the heaven-shaking cheers and salutations to continue for a brief moment.
It was only when the roar of voices subsided slightly and the crowd looked up at him with expectant eyes that he slowly raised his right hand and gently pressed it downward.
Instantly, there was absolute silence, not a crow or sparrow to be heard!
Chen Changge slowly began to speak, his voice transmitting with crystal clarity into everyone's ears.
"Regarding the events of late, there may have been panic or negligence within the clan. Considering the extraordinary circumstances, I can let the past remain in the past.
However, starting from today, our Chen family must unite from top to bottom and overcome these difficult times together!
Every member of the Chen family must cultivate diligently without rest and scrupulously fulfill their duties. Internally, we must maintain harmony and kinship; externally, we must work together to advance.
If anyone outwardly complies but secretly disobeys, harbors rebellious intentions, acts immorally, or slacks off on family affairs—"
His voice suddenly rose, resolute and decisive as chopping nails and cutting iron:
"Regardless of how close or distant your bloodline is, and regardless of past merits or faults, you will be directly expelled from the Chen family and never permitted to return!"
These words struck like a thunderbolt in everyone's hearts.
The crowd below was universally awestruck. They lowered their eyes and put on solemn expressions.
"We shall strictly obey the Old Ancestor's command!" The crowd cupped their hands and bowed once more.
"Aside from that, there is another major matter concerning our Chen family that I must announce."
Chen Changge paused for a moment before continuing. "I was originally on the brink of death. The Heavenly Azure Sect had no solution and could only watch as I perished.
Thankfully, my old friend, True Lord Withered Glory, intervened. He paid no small price to save my life.
However, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
Therefore, I have decided to withdraw from the Heavenly Azure Sect, join the Xu family as a guest elder, and serve as the Deputy City Lord of Cloudstream City from now on."
"Withdraw from the Heavenly Azure Sect?"
"Become a guest elder of the Xu family?"
"The Old Ancestor has been appointed as the Deputy City Lord of Cloudstream City?!"
Below the stage, an uproar broke out as many disciples of the family broke into widespread discussion.
Some were worried, some were joyful, and some were simply confused.
A clan elder spoke up, "Old Ancestor, if you withdraw so directly, the Heavenly Azure Sect will definitely cause trouble once they find out. How will our Chen family defend ourselves then?"
"Yes, Old Ancestor, this matter requires careful consideration! The Heavenly Azure Sect isn't an existence we can afford to provoke!"
"So, to avoid offending the Heavenly Azure Sect, you would rather watch me die from my severe injuries?"
"Old Ancestor, we didn't mean it like that, it's just..."
"The me who was an elder of the Heavenly Azure Sect has already died. I no longer owe them anything. Now that I have been saved by True Lord Withered Glory and given a second life, it is only natural that I serve the Xu family."
Chen Changge stated calmly, "I know what you are worried about. Right now, the four major factions might seem completely calm and tranquil, but they are secretly fighting and scheming against one another.
Cloudstream City is the base of the Xu family. Even the Heavenly Azure Sect wouldn't dare casually stir up trouble here.
And even if they do come, the Xu family will step forward to handle it. It will have nothing to do with any of you.
Just make sure to act carefully when you go outside from now on.
Also, to the disciples of the Heavenly Azure Sect within our Chen clan, if you feel it is better to stay with the Heavenly Azure Sect, you may separate from the clan and sever all ties with the Chen family from today onwards.
If you don't wish to, then stay in the clan and watch quietly. The situation will naturally resolve itself."
"That is all I will say on the matter. You are all dismissed. Tianfang, Tianlei, the two of you, come with me."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Chen Changge's complete recovery was a joyous event, but withdrawing from the Heavenly Azure Sect to become a guest elder of the Xu family was simply replacing one crisis with another.
Meanwhile, Chen Yubai, Chen Yusong, and some other Heavenly Azure Sect disciples wore worried expressions, not knowing what choice to make.
They were considered among the more talented individuals in the Chen clan.
However, they had only managed to become Heavenly Azure Sect disciples thanks to the benefits of the Three Sects merging into the Heavenly Azure Sect.
"Cousin, what should we do now? Do we return to the sect, or do we stay with the clan?"
"This..." Chen Yubai also looked troubled. "The Old Ancestor's attitude is firm. He definitely intends to sever ties with the Heavenly Azure Sect completely. We...
It's better to trust the Old Ancestor and wait to watch the changes quietly in the clan.
After all, the Chen family is our root!"
In the Family Head's study.
"Grandfather, why did you suddenly suggest withdrawing from the Heavenly Azure Sect? Was that the condition True Lord Withered Glory set for saving you?" Chen Tianlei asked in astonishment.
Chen Tianfang shook his head and said, "Probably not. Grandfather originally had the intention to withdraw from the Heavenly Azure Sect anyway. The reason he got injured this time was that, because he wanted to leave, the Heavenly Azure Sect assigned him an extremely dangerous task.
That's how he suffered such a severe injury in the Black Wind Mountain Range."
"So that's how it is. But big brother, why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
"Given Grandfather's condition, what difference would it have made to tell you?"
Chen Changge interjected, "There is no need to discuss this further. I was the one who suggested joining the Xu family. Not only that, but from now on, I am also a servant of True Lord Withered Glory.
If I hadn't made this offer, he wouldn't have stepped forward to save me!"
"What?! True Lord Withered Glory actually made you a servant? You are a dignified Perfected Person at the Golden Core stage!" Chen Tianlei said, immediately becoming furious. "How could he do such a thing?!
Especially considering our two families are connected as in-laws!"
"I was the one who actively proposed this arrangement as well."
"Why?" This time, even Chen Tianfang showed a look of sheer incomprehension.
"What kind of friendship or connection could possibly compel someone to bring out a precious pill that even a Nascent Soul cultivator would drool over, just to save an outsider?"
Chen Changge questioned sharply, "Put yourselves in his shoes. If an in-law of our family suffered severe injuries and required our Chen family to use such a life-saving treasure, would you be willing to give it away for free?"
The two men fell silent.
Since it hadn't happened to them directly, they couldn't truly empathize.
"Do you know that one of the pills the Xu family brought out is something the Heavenly Azure Sect is desperately seeking for their Nascent Soul Grand Elder right now?
If the Xu family was willing to offer it up, the Heavenly Azure Sect would likely be willing to exchange a mid-grade third-tier, or even a high-grade spirit vein for it."
"The other pill was equally invaluable. Thanks to this blessing in disguise, the sea of qi in my dantian expanded by a full thirty percent, and my divine sense is now comparable to that of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, even though my realm remains at early-stage Golden Core.
But that alone is enough for me to clash with mid-stage Golden Core cultivators.
Furthermore, True Lord Withered Glory has promised to custom-forge a mid-grade magic treasure for me."
The two of them exchanged a glance, feeling nothing but profound shock in their hearts.
"Of course, I didn't offer to become a servant solely because I wanted True Lord Withered Glory to save my life. It was also because I have faith in the Xu family. They are destined to become the true ruler of the Heavenly Azure Prefecture in the future.
With the Heavenly Azure Prefecture in such turmoil, our Chen family can only rise with the trend if we pick the right side.
In a century or two, we might even become one of the top Golden Core aristocratic families in the Heavenly Azure Prefecture!"
"Your foresight is far-reaching, Grandfather. It is your grandsons who were too narrow-minded." Chen Tianfang and Chen Tianlei both bowed deeply in unison.
"I am telling the two of you this today because our Chen clan must firmly remember our place from now on.
In the future, the Xu family will be the masters, and our Chen family will be the servants.
This matter must also be passed down to future Family Heads and First Elders of the Chen family. As for the ordinary clan members, there is no need to inform them. This is also a bestowal of grace from True Lord Withered Glory."
"Your grandsons understand."
Chen Changge nodded slightly. "From now on, I will be spending almost all my time at the City Lord's Mansion. Send me a message if anything comes up."
"Yes."
Shortly after, Chen Changge rode a streak of light and returned to the City Lord's Mansion.
Just half a month later.
The news of Chen Changge becoming the Deputy City Lord of Cloudstream City spread like wildfire.
Soon, the Heavenly Azure Sect, the Mo family, the Lei family, Heavenly Azure City, and various other major and minor factions all learned of it.
It wasn't just in Cloudstream City. Factions had planted hidden agents to gather intelligence in Jade Bamboo City, White Cloud City, and Heavenly Azure City to keep an eye on each other's movements.
In the struggle to become the Lord of Heavenly Azure Prefecture, intelligence was naturally of the utmost importance.
Both the Mo family and the Lei family were astonished by Chen Changge's audacity, silently joining Cloudstream City without a word.
Of course, the news of Chen Changge's critical injuries had been kept highly confidential, so very few people knew about it.
But the upper echelons of the Heavenly Azure Sect were perfectly aware.
Inside the Sect Master's main hall.
When Xi Fengyue heard the news from a disciple, he was instantly enraged. His spiritual pressure erupted, completely shattering a wooden table carved from first-tier yellow pear wood with a single palm.
The disciples standing guard outside the hall jumped in fright at the sudden noise.
"Why is the Sect Master so angry?!"
"Don't say another word, unless you want to be punished!"
The two disciples conversed via voice transmissions.
"Men! Gather the sect elders at the main assembly hall. Invite the First Elder and True Lord Bingqian as well. This Sect Master has important matters to discuss."
"Yes, Sect Master." A disciple waiting outside stepped up to the main entrance, cupped his hands, and accepted the order.
Immediately, he began sending out messages one by one.
Half an incense stick's time later.
All the elders gathered in the main assembly hall—the Heavenly Azure Hall.
"Sect Master, why have you gathered us with such urgency? If it isn't a major issue, this elder needs to return to my peak for artificing," Elder Chihuo said.
Xi Fengyue swept his gaze over the crowd, his expression grim. "This Sect Master just received news. Our sect elder, Chen Changge, has openly betrayed the sect and joined Cloudstream City.
He is now the Deputy City Lord of Cloudstream City!"
The hall instantly exploded into chaos, like cold water poured into boiling oil.
Many elders revealed looks of pure astonishment.
"Elder Chen Changge didn't die? And he joined Cloudstream City?!" Feng Juechen asked, absolutely stunned.
"Yes, not long ago I heard he was critically injured and on the brink of death, beyond saving. I even heard it was a judgment made by the First Elder himself after a personal examination," Elder Yang said.
Everyone turned their gazes toward True Lord Green Wood.
True Lord Green Wood's face was somber. He didn't hide anything and calmly met their stares, stating plainly, "On that day, Elder Chen's injuries were incredibly severe. His dantian was damaged, and cold, Yin-attribute death aura had entrenched itself there.
His physical body was heavily wounded, and he was afflicted with a lethal poison that had already started eroding his internal organs.
The most critical damage was to his divine soul, which had begun to crack, forcing him into a deep slumber.
To heal such injuries, the required natural treasures would be astronomically precious. Our Heavenly Azure Sect suffered heavy losses in the War of the Two Prefectures, rendering us basically powerless to help him."
"If we were powerless, then why is he alive now?" an elder asked in confusion.
"The Chen family sought out True Lord Withered Glory, who took him back to Cloudstream City to heal him."
Perfected Person Chihuo inhaled sharply. "True Lord Withered Glory actually possesses such ability?! He can even heal injuries of that magnitude!"
"Elder Chihuo, is this the time to be admiring True Lord Withered Glory's methods?" Xi Fengyue asked in an icy tone. "Even if he saved Chen Changge's life, Chen Changge has always been an elder of our Heavenly Azure Sect.
For True Lord Withered Glory to be so audacious as to take him under his wing and openly appoint him as Deputy City Lord—this is a blatant provocation against our Heavenly Azure Sect!
And Chen Changge! Choosing to stay in Cloudstream City after recovering instead of returning to the sect is an act of treason. This crime is absolutely unforgivable!"
A black-robed elder with a face as cold and rigid as iron sneered, "We absolutely cannot set such a precedent! We must use thunderous methods to capture the traitor and execute him according to our laws! Otherwise, what use are our sect's rules? Where is our prestige?"
This man was Elder Zhao, the Hall Master of the Heavenly Azure Sect's Punishment Hall, and a late-stage Golden Core immortal cultivator.
"Hall Master Zhao is entirely correct!" A white-bearded elder agreed in support. "Chen Changge must be dragged back to the sect for punishment, and True Lord Withered Glory must also give our Heavenly Azure Sect an explanation!
Otherwise, our Heavenly Azure Sect's reputation will be utterly destroyed!"
"True Lord Withered Glory has always kept a low profile. By taking in Chen Changge this time, could he be intentionally testing the waters?"
"Then we must respond even more forcefully!"
"Exactly! We must show all the factions in the Heavenly Azure Prefecture that the Heavenly Azure Sect is not to be trifled with!"
Emotions ran high as fury painted the faces of the vast majority of the elders. They all believed that this matter struck at the very core of the sect's authority and future stability.
Only a small minority of elders who had past ties with the Chen or Xu families wore worried expressions, hesitating to speak.
But their silence was completely drowned out by the boiling clamor for a punitive crusade.
Among them was Cang Yuyang of the Cang family.
'True Lord Withered Glory, what are you doing? Do you intend to completely trigger chaos in the Heavenly Azure Prefecture?'
Right now, the four major factions still maintained a facade of harmony, secretly accumulating their strength and waiting for the right opportunity.
"First Elder, what do you think we should do?" Xi Fengyue looked toward True Lord Green Wood.
Without True Lord Green Wood and True Lord Bingqian, the rest of the Heavenly Azure Sect wouldn't dare to provoke Xu Chuan at all.
During the War of the Two Prefectures, Xu Chuan had earned the moniker of "Golden Core Killer."
Because of his incredibly powerful Divine Sense Secret Method, dealing with early and mid-stage Golden Core cultivators was practically effortless for him. According to rough estimates, over a dozen early-stage Golden Core experts had died at his hands during the War of the Two Prefectures.
Under such a fierce reputation, how could ordinary Golden Core cultivators dare to easily look for trouble with him?
True Lord Green Wood furrowed his brows deeply. Unless there was absolutely no other choice, he truly did not want to confront Xu Chuan.
While he hesitated, True Lord Bingqian said, "Senior Brother, True Lord Withered Glory is indeed very strong, but if you and I join forces, we should be able to suppress him."
"Back during the War of the Two Prefectures, the Family Heads of the Nie and Chao families from Greedy Wolf Prefecture were also True Lord powerhouses at the Golden Core Perfection stage. They were able to suppress Xu Chuan. As fellow martial brothers, the two of us can definitely do the same."
"Fine. I didn't want to clash with Daoist Friend Withered Glory, but he has truly crossed the line this time!"
"Excellent. Then it will be led by this Sect Master, the First Elder, Elder Bingqian, Elder Yang, and Elder Zhao. The five of us will personally go to Cloudstream City to capture Chen Changge.
Any other elders who wish to go may accompany us."
"Sect Master, I wish to go!"
"I'll go too."
Soon, another five early and mid-stage Golden Core elders agreed to go.
This lineup was even more formidable than the time the Nie and Chao families had led a horde of Golden Core demonic cultivators to attack Cloudstream Town.
"Very good. Everyone, return and make your preparations. We will gather at the mountain gate in one hour."
The crowd gradually dispersed.
True Lord Green Wood remained with his brows locked together. Seeing this, True Lord Bingqian asked, "Senior Brother, what are you still worried about? Are you concerned about True Lord Withered Glory's strength?"
"I fought him last time, so I have some understanding of his strength."
"Did he use his Divine Sense Secret Method last time?"
"He did not."
"Then what you saw wasn't his true strength, only what he wanted you to see," True Lord Green Wood said. "Xu Chuan only uses his Divine Sense Secret Method when he is moving for the kill.
And once he uses it, it means he is preparing to unleash all of his divine abilities at once.
Moreover, aside from his Divine Sense Secret Method, he also wields arrays.
In the battle at the Thousand Stone Forest, he relied on an array to fight one-on-three against three late-stage Golden Core cultivators, one of whom was even True Lord Canglang.
Despite that, he was still able to kill the Blood-Robed Ancestor!"
"If it were you or me facing those three, could we have killed one of them within fifteen minutes?"
True Lord Bingqian fell silent, then frowned and asked, "Then, Senior Brother, do you disagree with making trouble for Cloudstream City?"
True Lord Green Wood shook his head. "It concerns the face of the Heavenly Azure Sect, so we must go. This is an open scheme. If our Heavenly Azure Sect backs down, our prestige in the Heavenly Azure Prefecture will plummet.
It might even shake the very foundation and morale of the entire Heavenly Azure Sect."
"An open scheme? He did it on purpose? Why would he do such a thing?" True Lord Bingqian was full of incomprehension.
"On the surface, it should be meant as a deterrent, to showcase his own strength. But what his secret plots might be... as your senior brother, I still cannot see through them."
"Junior Brother, let's go. Come with me to see the Grand Elder."
"Senior Brother, do you want to ask the Grand Elder to intervene?"
"It's not that we necessarily need him to strike, but it's just in case. If our Heavenly Azure Sect cannot suppress Cloudstream City this time, I'm afraid it really will..."
True Lord Green Wood didn't finish his sentence, but True Lord Bingqian understood completely.
'Is our momentum gone? Has the once-glorious Heavenly Azure Sect truly passed the point of no return?'
True Lord Bingqian muttered in his heart.
The two of them headed toward the back mountain of the main peak, where the Nascent Soul Grand Elder, Xi Daoyun, was secluded in cultivation.
"Grand Elder, Green Wood and Bingqian have come to pay their respects."
Standing before the grotto-residence, the two cupped their hands and bowed.
"What is it?"
A moment later, an old, deep voice drifted out from the grotto-residence.
"Reporting to the Grand Elder, Chen Changge has defected from our Heavenly Azure Sect and joined Cloudstream City, becoming its Deputy City Lord. The Sect Master has decided to go with us to capture him and intimidate Cloudstream City."
True Lord Green Wood spoke respectfully.
"Very well."
"This disciple wishes to ask the Grand Elder to follow us in secret. If necessary, please strike to heavily injure or even kill Xu Chuan."
True Lord Green Wood continued, "Previously, Chen Changge's divine soul was severely injured. This disciple deduced that it was virtually hopeless to save him unless one had a pill similar to the Pole Star Pill."
Hearing this, Xi Daoyun finally replied, "This old man understands."
"Thank you, Grand Elder. We shall take our leave."
True Lord Green Wood and True Lord Bingqian departed.
On the way, True Lord Bingqian asked, "Senior Brother, is what you said true?"
"There is a seventy or eighty percent chance. If I didn't frame it like that, how could I convince the Grand Elder to act!"
"With the Grand Elder covering our backs, nothing can go wrong."
"I hope so."
Half an incense stick's time later.
Ten elders of the Heavenly Azure Sect each mounted a streak of light, tearing through the clouds like meteors chasing the moon as they shot directly toward Cloudstream City.
Three late-stage Golden Core cultivators, two True Lords at Golden Core Perfection, plus five early and mid-stage elders.
This lineup could only be described as exceptionally powerful. It was enough to completely annihilate a top-tier Golden Core aristocratic family like the Lei family.
Inner City of Cloudstream City, the Xu Residence.
Under the Withered Glory Tree.
Xu Chuan, who was sitting cross-legged, shifted slightly and slowly opened his eyes. There were no ripples of emotion in his gaze.
Sensing something in the invisible flow of destiny, he pinched his fingers and performed a divination.
A moment later, the corners of his lips quirked up slightly, and he said softly, "They've arrived."
He immediately sent voice transmissions to all the Golden Core cultivators of the Xu family to gather outside the City Lord's Mansion. For those further away, such as in the Heavenly Plume Sect, he dispatched a messaging talisman.
Although Ye Fan, Xu Deyue, and Xu Deling didn't know the exact reason, they all instantly put down what they were doing and rushed to the sky above the City Lord's Mansion.
When True Lord Fierce Sun, Rong Tianyang, and True Lord Yanzhen heard that the Heavenly Azure Sect might be attacking, they also arrived at the scene.
Even if they didn't lift a finger to fight, they had to be there to bolster the Xu family's imposing presence. After all, the Heavenly Plume Sect was now also a part of Cloudstream City.
Everyone gathered.
"Sister Ling, you're all here as well."
Ye Fan looked over and saw four streams of light arrive, revealing themselves to be Xu Deling, True Lord Fierce Sun, and the others.
Xu Deling nodded slightly, then looked at Perfected Person Fire Cloud and Perfected Person Green Cliff, greeting them, "Honored Master, Elder Green Cliff."
Perfected Person Green Cliff was a little confused and asked, "Why has the Family Head suddenly summoned us all here?"
Chen Changge answered, "If I'm not mistaken, it should be because of me."
"I presume the Heavenly Azure Sect has already learned of my joining Cloudstream City and becoming the Deputy City Lord."
"Just because of that?" Perfected Person Green Cliff shook his head and sighed. "The Heavenly Azure Sect truly is going downhill. Such petty tolerance and narrow-mindedness."
Perfected Person Fire Cloud interjected, "What do you know? Factions abhor those whose loyalties shift like the wind. Elder Chen's actions currently look highly suspicious of treason.
Setting aside their reputation, they will show no mercy, if only to deter their own disciples."
True Lord Yanzhen frowned slightly. "Daoist Friend Withered Glory's actions here were indeed a bit improper."
As a member of the Heavenly Foundry Sect, he thoroughly understood the methods of a major sect. Traitors would absolutely be hunted down until they were dead, or until the sect had completely exhausted all options and was forced to give up.
"Junior Brother Yanzhen, there is no need for you to judge Daoist Friend Withered Glory's actions."
True Lord Fierce Sun said this as a subtle reminder—Xu Deling was standing right there!
She shared a deep bond with Xu Chuan, and openly criticizing him to her face would only cause resentment.
Ye Fan jumped to his defense. "My master naturally has his reasons for the things he does. As for Elder Chen's situation, outsiders truly shouldn't judge so easily if they don't know the whole story.
He already wanted to leave the Heavenly Azure Sect, but the sect sent him into the Black Wind Mountain Range to search for the Pole Star Flower. Elder Chen encountered a terrifyingly strong demonic beast and was critically injured, brought to the very brink of death with no hope of recovery.
The Heavenly Azure Sect simply abandoned him, leaving him to rot.
It was my master who brought him back and paid a massive price to save his life.
Elder Chen is a man who has already died once. What's wrong with him joining the Xu family and becoming our guest elder?"
True Lord Fierce Sun nodded. "So that's how it is. Without Daoist Friend Withered Glory, Daoist Friend Chen would already be dead. It isn't an exaggeration to say that Daoist Friend Chen's life genuinely belongs to the Xu family."
Just as his voice fell.
A streak of azure light drifted over leisurely from the direction of the Xu Residence, landing right in front of them.
It was exactly him, Xu Chuan!