Ximen Rongcheng sat with his eyes closed, resting, ignoring the chatterbox nearby.
Yang Zhiqiang, another Contra from the Yang family, had been the one to take action against the Moyang Sect last time.
But—sibling hierarchy is a killer. His older sister, Yang Jingxue, stole the mission right from under him.
Yes, she's his biological older sister.
"Old Xun," said Ma Zhibin, "your ancestral hall is already set up, huh? Tsk tsk tsk… those big red embroidered table skirts wrapped around the offering tables—those fabrics are antiques, aren't they? And the wall hangings, couplets, and paintings are all up too. Need someone to help slaughter pigs and sheep? That's my specialty."
Flamboyant and extroverted, this guy was always a natural at being overly familiar.
Most men in their fifties, weathered by life, tend to exude maturity and depth—some elegant, some composed, a sharp contrast to youthful recklessness.
But Ma Zhibin's personality hadn't changed a bit in two or three decades.
"Oh right, where's your Hall of Grace? I need to go pay respects to my family's ancestors," he called out again.
The Hall of Grace was dedicated to those who had shown great favor to the Chen clan. The Ma family was a long-standing ally, and their ancestors were enshrined there.
"Geez, you're not a kid anymore—could you stop yelling?" said Xue Tianming, the Chen clan's liaison officer. He was all about decorum and had never quite tolerated Ma Zhibin's loud antics.
"Old Xue, we only live once. Might as well enjoy it. You're just too uptight.
Look at how you dress—always so prim and proper. And has anyone ever said you look good doing it?
Look at the guys from the Spirit Hall—always at the cutting edge of fashion. You? You're like a rusty coin."
Ma Zhibin never backed down from an argument, even when he had no leg to stand on.
"… …"
"Uncles, elder brothers," Chen Xun stepped in to mediate. "My father will be here shortly. Please, have some tea while you wait."
"No worries. We came unannounced, sorry for the disturbance. Uncle Yu—" Ximen Rongcheng paused as he spotted Chen Yu entering.
"Rongcheng, my dear nephew, Zhiqiang, my younger brother—you honor us with your presence. I couldn't be happier. You must stay a few days so the Chen clan can properly host you!"
Chen Yu stepped in wearing a traditional robe—tight around the shoulders with lotus-leaf sword sleeves, silver rhombus ornaments on his chest, and slits up both sides to the waist. The robe was a muted grey-blue with matching patterns—not embroidered, but elegant and understated.
"Brother Yu!"
"Uncle Yu!"
The guests rose to greet him.
"Please, everyone, be seated!" Chen Yu gestured for them to sit after taking his seat.
"Your visit honors us—thank you for giving our Chen clan such a face…"
After some polite conversation, Ximen Rongcheng and Yang Zhiqiang stood up and said they were heading to Shaolin Lake to enjoy the breeze and scenery.
Xue Tianming excused himself to the restroom. Even someone as thick-skinned as Ma Zhibin could tell the others wanted to talk privately, so he said he'd go help out at the ancestral temple.
Soon, only Ning Ze and four Chen family members remained in the meeting hall.
Chen Yu turned to him and said,
"Nephew Ning Ze, thank you for taking the time to attend our ceremony.
But if I may ask directly—do you have other business to discuss?
There are no outsiders here. Feel free to speak."
The Ximen and Yang families were long-time ironclad allies of the Chens. Their attendance was expected.
But the presence of the other three—including Ning Ze—was less predictable.
Ning Ze was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's permanent envoy stationed in Douhun City, in charge of all its affairs. Of course, his visit had a purpose.
"Uncle Yu," he said respectfully,
"Our clan's protector, Dragon Youjun, Lord Jun, has completed his thirty-year tenure and will be returning to his family.
Moreover, the mainland's current situation is tense with hidden turmoil. Our clan hopes your noble family can spare one or two members to assist us.
If possible, we would also like to invite a member of your clan to serve as our official Protector. The personal compensation and battle contribution rewards during the protection period will reflect your family's prestige."
'Spare one or two members'—for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, that meant at least a Contra. A Soul Sage wouldn't cut it.
Everyone knew that was just fluff. The real ask was what came next:
They wanted a Titled Douluo from the Chen clan to become their official Protector.
That was no small ask—this would require either Chen Yu or Chen Hong to serve, and the term was at least ten years.
The room fell silent.
After a moment of reflection, Chen Yu replied:
"That's something we'll need to discuss among ourselves. In the meantime, feel free to tour our Chenlin Village—its scenery is quite lovely."
"Very well. I await your response, Uncle Yu. For now, I'll take my leave," Ning Ze said, recognizing this as the standard diplomatic reply and departing.
After Ning Ze left, Chen Yu called for Xue Tianming to return.
He got straight to the point.
"Nephew Tianming, what does Elder Chen wish to convey through your visit?"
As one of the seven department heads of Douhun City, Xue Tianming was a busy man—he wouldn't come here without a good reason.
Xue Tianming stood and bowed.
"First, I bring congratulations for the Chen clan's festival.
Second, Elder Chen, the Chief Administrator, has entrusted me with a proposal to discuss with your family."
In Douhun City, the highest authority was the Council of Elders, with each elder family holding one seat.
Day-to-day affairs were handled by a Chief Administrator, who also served as the City Lord.
The position required Titled Douluo strength to command respect, and the administrator had to come from one of the elder families.
The term was twenty years, non-renewable.
To balance power, three deputies assisted the Administrator:
Administrative Deputy (chief of civil affairs)
Oversight Director (internal monitor—direct access to the Council)
Commander of the Douhun Legion, jointly managed by the Administrator and Council
(currently held by Ximen Rongcheng—military power was paramount in this world)
The current Chief Administrator was Chen Weining of the Xuantiangourd Chen Clan, a Level 95 Titled Douluo, inheritor of the title Xuanyan (Mysterious Heaven).
"Oh? What is Elder Chen's idea?" Chen Yu asked.
"Elder Chen believes that although the destruction of the Moyang Sect has a temporary effect, its long-term impact will take time to materialize. It's still not enough.
So, for the sake of long-term influence and showing our potential, he wants to make a move on the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament—ideally to win it."
"Long-term deterrence. Makes sense," Chen Yu nodded.
"But relying solely on the Douhun Elite Academy's student pool won't be enough.
Elder Chen hopes to gather support from all major families."
"And how are the other families reacting?"
"I've been entrusted to consult each one. The Chen clan is the first I'm visiting."
"If this plan proceeds, what are the criteria for candidates?"
"The previous tournament, led by Qian Daoliu of the Spirit Hall, ended in victory three years ago.
The next is in two years—too tight a timeline.
So Elder Chen proposes aiming for the following tournament. This year, he wants each family to send their best 12–13-year-old children into the intermediate division of Douhun Academy.
With seven years of training and coordination, the team will mature, and at ages 19–20—prime years—they'll be ready to dominate."
"Too young means low soul power—hard to win.
Too old, and it won't impress."
The unspoken standard was clear: anyone below level 8 innate soul power need not apply.
"Sounds reasonable."
"And to play it safe, another batch will be prepared five to six years later—dual insurance.
Even if both attempts fall short, strong results alone will prove our strength."
"Elder Chen has thought this through."
"So, Uncle Yu, what do you think?"
"Give us some time to discuss. You're not in a rush, are you?"
"No rush at all. I'll wait until after your clan's festival for your response."
"Of course."
"Then, with your permission, Uncle Yu, I'll take my leave for now."