The Chen family ancestor continued, “Yun Shan, I do not mean to belittle you. In cultivation and ability, you are no match for me.”
“Of course, your talent for enduring humiliation far exceeds mine, and not by a small margin. Even if I lived another hundred thousand years, I would never rival you in that.”
“But one thing is certain. I would be a far stronger sect leader than you.”
“If you step aside, I can demonstrate what true authority the leader of the Eastern Wasteland’s foremost great faction should command.”
His ambition was laid bare.
At these words, both the Wine Sword Immortal and Yun Xi stared at the Chen family ancestor in shock.
They had not imagined he would voice such outrageous treason.
Yun Shan replied without expression, “Great Elder, you must remember that it was the Supreme Elder who personally appointed me as sect leader of the Qingyun Sword Sect all those years ago.”
“I am prepared to relinquish the position, but only with the Supreme Elder’s consent.”
“Equally, if the Supreme Elder judges you worthy, I would not only raise no objection, but actively support you.”
“Whatever the outcome, we must follow the Supreme Elder’s will.”
The Chen family ancestor gave a scornful laugh. “The Supreme Elder again. Yun Shan, can you not find a different line?”
“Every time an issue arises, you insist it depends on the Supreme Elder’s view.”
“Let me ask you plainly. Is the Supreme Elder truly in seclusion?”
Yun Shan answered, “The Supreme Elder is indeed in seclusion.”
“Lies,” the Chen family ancestor snapped. “Do not think I am ignorant. The Supreme Elder passed away long ago.”
“Otherwise, after thousands of years, why has he never emerged?”
“You may deceive others, but you cannot deceive me.”
Yun Shan said with some helplessness, “The Supreme Elder is genuinely still in seclusion.”
The Chen family ancestor pressed on, “Very well. Even supposing he remains in seclusion, after thousands of years his vitality must be spent, must it not?”
“If he had succeeded in his breakthrough, he would have come out long since.”
“If memory serves, when the Supreme Elder entered seclusion, he had only recently reached Saint King, correct?”
“Do you truly believe an aged Saint King, his blood and qi withered, could stand against me?”
“Thus, the Supreme Elder’s opinion carries no weight.”
“Of course, if you are unwilling to yield the sect leader position, you need only agree to the two conditions I shall now propose.”
The Chen family ancestor continued, “The second condition concerns him.”
He glanced at the Wine Sword Immortal. “Everyone knows that the elders of those five factions are all saint-level experts.”
“Yet this man, holding the title of elder, possesses merely peak Tongshen cultivation. He is wholly unfit to serve as elder in the Eastern Wasteland’s foremost great faction.”
“My proposal is to strip him of his elder status.”
“No,” Yun Xi protested. “Though the Wine Sword Immortal is not a saint, over these years he has assisted my father in managing every affair of the sect, great and small, with immense merit and tireless effort. He cannot be casually removed.”
The Chen family ancestor replied coolly, “Yun Xi, do you have any right to speak here?”
“Out of respect for your youth, I will overlook it this time.”
“But should it happen again, do not blame me for disciplining you on your father’s behalf.”
Yun Shan felt profound displeasure but held his temper and asked, “Great Elder, what is the third condition?”
The Chen family ancestor said, “Yun Shan, how do you rate my grandson Tianming?”
Though Yun Shan detested the Chen family ancestor’s domineering attitude, he could not deny Chen Tianming’s genius. “Tianming is an outstanding young man, gifted beyond measure, advancing swiftly in cultivation, with limitless prospects. I hold him in very high regard.”
The Chen family ancestor smiled. “The achievement of which I am most proud in life is not reaching the Saint King realm, but having such an exceptional grandson.”
“When Tianming was born, heavenly signs appeared, purple qi filling the chamber for three full days without dispersing. Thus I named him Tianming, signifying that destiny rests with him.”
“At so young an age he already commands peak Tongshen cultivation. It is plain that his future accomplishments will surpass my own.”
Yun Shan asked, “Great Elder, what is your purpose in saying this?”
“I wish to select a dao companion for Tianming,” the Chen family ancestor replied. “I believe Yun Xi would be suitable.”
“Yun Shan, what say you?”
“If you have no objection, then upon Tianming’s return from the Burial Dragon Nest, we can hold the wedding ceremony. How would that be?”
He dares covet my daughter.
Despicable.
Yet Yun Shan did not refuse outright.
In his heart, Chen Tianming was indeed exceptional. If Chen Tianming became his son-in-law, it would mean securing an excellent husband for Yun Xi.
Every father wishes a fine future for his daughter.
Though Yun Shan disliked the Chen family ancestor, that did not diminish his favourable view of Chen Tianming.
The difficulty was that Yun Xi felt nothing for Chen Tianming.
Yun Shan fell silent for a moment before replying, “Great Elder, this matter touches upon the lifelong happiness of Tianming and Xi’er. I feel we should first hear the views of the two young people themselves.”
The Chen family ancestor said, “Tianming has admired Yun Xi for no short time. The Sect Leader must be aware of this.”
Yun Shan gave a slight nod.
The Chen family ancestor added, “Set your mind at ease, Sect Leader. Once Yun Xi marries into our Chen family, we shall treat her generously.”
“At the same time, I shall lend you my full support, helping to raise the Qingyun Sword Sect to still greater glory.”
Yun Shan wavered.
Agreeing to the marriage would not only provide Yun Xi with a worthy husband, but would bind the Chen family irrevocably to his cause. With the sect united in purpose, internal strife would cease.
Yet Yun Xi’s heart already belonged elsewhere. To force the match would shatter her.
As Yun Shan hesitated, Yun Xi spoke.
“Great Elder, I will be frank. My heart already belongs to another.”
The Chen family ancestor replied with indifference, “The one you mean is that boy Ye Changsheng, is it not?”
“I hear that in the Undying Mountain, Ye Changsheng slew several geniuses. He is impressive, certainly.”
“But can he compare to Tianming?”
“I have also heard that Ye Changsheng has consorted with the demon race, proving he has betrayed humanity.”
“A traitor to our race deserves death from every hand.”
“Moreover, disciples from the Yin-Yang Sect, the Butian Sect, and the three great holy lands all fell to Ye Changsheng. Those five factions long ago issued warrants for his capture.”
“Do you truly believe Ye Changsheng will survive?”
Yun Xi answered, “No matter what, I will never marry Chen Tianming.”
The Chen family ancestor’s expression darkened with displeasure. “Yun Xi, do not spurn a kindness.”
“Countless women under heaven would leap at the chance to wed Tianming. Were it not for his regard for you, do you imagine I would waste words on a mere junior?”
“Furthermore, entering the gates of our Chen family would not be marrying beneath you, but climbing high.”
“Tianming will one day prove the dao and attain emperorship. Were it not for his affection, and for your status as the sect leader’s daughter with passable beauty and character, you would not even qualify to be his concubine.”
