In the ancestral hall, Yun Hu's expression was terrifyingly grim, and his entire being exuded a dangerous aura.
Back when he took in Yun Fan, it was meant to fill a gap in his plans. But never did he imagine that the person he had nurtured would gradually slip from his control.
To his dismay, Yun Fan had become the righteous and powerful Yun Monarch—a development Yun Hu found impossible to accept.
Fortunately, he had other descendants. Without them, he wouldn't know what to do.
"But that thing is still inside him. The deaths of fourteen Yunwu Elders are insignificant. Failing to recover that object, now that would be fatal." Yun Hu clenched his fists tightly and turned to leave the ancestral hall. He needed to investigate what exactly had transpired in Wanyao Qianmu Valley.
Leaving the hall, Yun Hu made his way to the Yun Clan's council chamber. After taking his seat, he sat in silence, waiting.
Soon, hurried footsteps echoed from outside, and a Yun clan member dressed in a blue-and-white robe rushed into the hall. Bowing deeply to the elder, he greeted him, "Patriarch, something has happened in Wanyao Qianmu Valley."
"I already know. The fourteen Yunwu Elders I sent there are dead. But why has it taken so long for this information to reach me?" As Yun Hu spoke, his eyes snapped open, revealing a sinister red gleam.
Thud!
The moment Yun Hu finished speaking, the Yun clan member dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the floor, his entire body trembling. "Patriarch, no one from the Yun clan in Wanyao Qianmu Valley survived. When the Yun clan members from Lin Prefecture arrived, they only learned of the situation through secondhand reports."
"Speak!" Yun Hu commanded.
"Lin Qian, the son of Lin Di and Yun Yunyan, appeared in the Central Domain…" The Yun clan member then detailed everything they had gathered about the events in Wanyao Qianmu Valley.
Sitting on his throne, Yun Hu listened intently as his subordinate recounted what had happened. The elder's face grew increasingly cold, like a gathering storm.
When the story was finished, Yun Hu's breathing had become labored. "Traitor? What a bold claim from Lin Qian."
Fury blazed in Yun Hu's eyes as he released a surge of soul power. The force of his anger caused the body of the Yun clan member kneeling before him to swell and then explode, leaving a mangled mess of flesh and blood on the ground.
As he stared at the gory remains, Yun Hu seemed to regain his composure, though his eyes still gleamed with a dangerous light.
"This situation… has become troublesome," Yun Hu muttered as he furrowed his brow and left the chamber. As he stepped out, he turned to a maidservant waiting outside. "Clean up the hall. Not a trace of blood must remain."
The maid, still bowing low, answered obediently, not daring to rise until Yun Hu had left completely. Only then did she cover her nose and enter the hall to clean up. The faces of the maids were pale as they began their grim work.
In Yongquan Prefecture, within the city in the valley, the council hall of the City Lord's Mansion was now filled with people.
At the head of the table sat Yun Fan, accompanied by Yun Rong, while Lin Di, Yun Yunyan, and Lin Qian were seated nearby.
Yuan Supreme had already returned to the Yuan Clan, following Lin Qian's instructions to spread the narrative of the Yun Clan's betrayal of the Hua Xia Empire throughout the Central Domain.
As Lin Qian sat at the table, he curiously observed the others present. From the auras they exuded, it was clear that many were Transcendent Realm soul martial artists—at least twelve of them.
In addition, over a hundred experts at the peak of the Awakening Realm were also present, all of whom seemed capable of leading on their own.
It was said that these people were elders from the Yun Clan who had chosen to follow Yun Fan when he left the clan. This only further demonstrated the powerful influence Yun Fan held over them.
In truth, much of the Yun Clan's current strength was due to Yun Fan's contributions. Many of these elders had become disillusioned with Yun Hu's actions and had instead placed their trust in Yun Fan as their true patriarch.
However, Lin Qian noticed something interesting. The way they looked at his grandmother, Yun Rong, was filled with reverence, while their gazes toward Yun Fan held admiration and respect—closer to that of loyal followers.
But when they looked at Yun Rong, there was a hint of fear in their eyes, suggesting a deeper level of reverence.
"Today, I've gathered everyone to share some news. First, my body has fully recovered and is now stronger than before, reaching the peak of the Transcendent Realm!" Yun Fan's words brought excitement to the faces of everyone present.
In recent days, many had been deeply concerned for him, and now they were astonished at the news of his strength increasing.
"If it weren't for my grandson Lin Qian, who cured the poison of the Hualing Fruit and the bloodline curse, I might not have survived," Yun Fan said, his gaze resting fondly on Lin Qian. "My strength is in no small part due to my grandson. I believe many of you are meeting him for the first time today."
The gathered elders nodded, turning their curious gazes toward Lin Qian. They were eager to see what kind of person Yun Fan's grandson was. Was he an arrogant young lord or a rising star full of potential? That was yet to be seen.
However, anyone capable of saving Yun Fan and being the son of Lin Di and Yun Yunyan surely wouldn't be an ordinary individual.
After all, Lin Di and Yun Yunyan were both under fifty years old and had already reached the Transcendent Realm—a testament to their extraordinary talent. What kind of abilities might their son possess?
"And now, for the second matter: I intend to launch an offensive against the Yun Clan," Yun Fan suddenly announced, drawing everyone's attention back to him. Moments later, the entire council hall erupted in uproar.
"Patriarch, wouldn't it be too hasty to attack the Yun Clan now? Our foundation is unstable, and our greatest ally, the Yuan Ling Merchant Guild, is in disarray. Launching an attack now would be unwise," one of the Transcendent Realm elders advised, his voice filled with concern.
Others quickly chimed in, urging caution. At present, they lacked the strength to wage war against the Yun Clan. To do so would only lead to their downfall.
"The attack won't require all of you to take the lead. The main force will be my own troops. All you need to do is support them as high-level combatants to secure the battlefield," a voice filled with authority suddenly rang out, silencing the room.
The speaker was none other than Lin Qian.
"What is there to fear from a mere Yun Clan? Crushing them will be like playing a game. You all act as though we're facing a great enemy."