「Cangyun City.」

In the Chen Clan Royal Family's solemn and stately conference hall, more than a dozen of the family's leading figures were seated on either side of the room. An aged elder with white hair and a speckled beard occupied the seat of honor.

Despite a pronounced hunch in his back, he was full of vitality, his face glowing with health.

"Because the Family Head is in seclusion, I will preside over today's council meeting." The elder cleared his throat. "Regarding the Ancestral Sword, I have already assigned Chen Chunliang to handle the matter. With his strength, we can ensure there will be no mishaps."

"The previous encouragement to compete for it was mainly to give our youth some experience. However, no one could have expected the opponent to possess such formidable strength, which led to the successive deaths of Chen Zhi and Chen Ke."

"Great Elder, can we now be one hundred percent certain that the Ancestral Sword is in his possession?" a middle-aged man asked.

The rest of the attendees stared intently at the man—the Great Elder—silently awaiting his response.

"Who else could draw the Ancestral Sword, if not him?" the Great Elder mused, shaking his head to himself. "It's just unimaginable that someone who should have been long dead has grown to this extent."

Everyone knew exactly who "he" was.

"A peak twelfth-order cultivator before the age of thirty... that is truly terrifying!"

Since Chen Ke was twelfth-order, only someone at the peak of the twelfth order or higher could have killed him.

However, in their minds, a thirteenth-order Thousand-Faced Yama under thirty was completely impossible. The Chen Family, being a royal clan, lacked neither cultivation techniques, resources, nor uniquely talented individuals, yet they had never produced a Thousand-Faced Yama under the age of thirty. Their most outstanding prodigy had only stepped into the thirteenth order at the age of thirty-two.

If the Chen Family couldn't achieve it, who else in the entire country could?

Therefore, they concluded that Chen Yang's strength must be at the peak of the twelfth order. They even suspected that Chen Yang had used underhanded means to kill Chen Ke. In other words, even labeling him as a peak twelfth-order cultivator was, in their view, an overestimation.

"Hmph!" The middle-aged man who had spoken before snorted coldly. "His achievements today are only due to the blessing of our Chen bloodline! Only the blood of the Chen Family can produce such a genius."

He continued, "What a pity. Those not of our kin are sure to have different hearts. After killing two of our family's young talents in a row, that bastard has shown himself to be cruel and ruthless. We cannot let him live!"

As soon as he finished speaking, more than half of those present immediately voiced their agreement.

"We must eliminate him swiftly! If we allow him to continue to grow, he will eventually become a major disaster."

"Great Elder, just to be safe, we should send more men!"

The other half, however, remained silent. Some even curled their lips in disdain. In the internal power struggle years ago, they had belonged to the former Family Head's faction. Although they hadn't been purged for various reasons, they had been stripped of their real power and pushed to the margins. They had no right to speak on many significant matters of the council.

Just like now.

Naturally, they opposed sending men to assassinate Chen Yang. They would much rather bring him back and give him the position of Family Head. But was that even possible?

Second Young Master, you must hold on! one of them roared inwardly.

Yet, surviving the Chen Family's pursuit was more difficult than ascending to the heavens. Chen Yang's ability to kill both Chen Zhi and Chen Ke had already been an immense surprise. Sighing, they each shook their heads in resignation.

The Great Elder glanced at them, his gaze darkening slightly before he spoke solemnly, "Boyong has a point. We must not underestimate him!"

"In that case, the branch in Qiyun Road is short a manager. Boyong, you will take over there. While you're at it, make a trip to Lingjin City and help Chen Chunliang dispose of that trash."

The middle-aged man named Chen Boyong immediately stood up, a ferocious grin on his face. "Rest assured, Great Elder. I will personally sever that trash's head and bring it back."

"And the Ancestral Sword!"

Someone beside him laughed. "Don't let him die too easily. It would be better to torture him for a while."

"Chen Ke was my nephew. How could I possibly let him off lightly?" Chen Boyong said, his voice brimming with murderous intent.

The Great Elder did not interrupt their display of cruelty and ferocity. He simply picked up his teacup, took a gentle sip, and then knocked on the table. "Old King Qin, Qin Lie of Qiyun Road, will soon celebrate his eightieth birthday. Since you're going, take the opportunity to deliver a gift to him."

"Something simple will suffice."

"Understood, Great Elder!"

With that topic closed, the group shifted their discussion to the Family Head's seclusion.

"Great Elder, the Family Head has been in seclusion for almost half a year. He should be coming out soon, right?" Chen Boyong asked tentatively.

The others, though silent, stared intently at the Great Elder.

The Great Elder set his teacup down gently and smiled faintly. "It should be soon! Just wait. When the Family Head emerges, he will have a big surprise for all of you."

At once, everyone's hearts began to pound with excitement.

Before his seclusion, the Family Head had already reached the Ten Thousand Phenomena Senluo realm. Now, after more than half a year, what would his level be?

Fifteenth order, or sixteenth?

Ha... It was indeed something to look forward to.

After the meeting was dismissed, Chen Boyong immediately began preparations for his trip to Qiyun Road.

"Bonan, stay for a moment," the Great Elder called out to one of the middle-aged men who was about to leave.

This man had remained silent from the beginning to the end of the meeting, seeming somewhat out of place.

"Great Elder, is there anything else?" Chen Bonan's expression froze for a moment before he turned around, a polite smile on his face.

The Great Elder stood before him. "I know what you're thinking, but I'll give you a piece of advice: it's best not to entertain any unrealistic ideas."

"Great Elder, I don't understand what you mean." Chen Bonan's smile vanished, but his eyes were filled with extreme tension.

The Great Elder gave him a profound look, then strode away. His cold words trailed slowly behind him. "If you dare to try and save him, or interfere with our assassination, you and your entire lineage will be slaughtered."

"You know me. I never make idle threats."

Chen Bonan was left speechless.

Watching the Great Elder's retreating back, Chen Bonan's face darkened visibly, and he clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood that trickled to the floor.

"Do not push me too far!" Chen Bonan gritted his teeth, his face so dark it seemed it might drip ink. But soon, an involuntary smile twisted his lips. "A peak twelfth-order cultivator before the age of thirty... what incredible talent! What if he's given another five years?"

"Perhaps you're not just afraid of his talent, but even more afraid of him growing stronger, aren't you?" His smile turned savage. "Rather than live like a dog without dignity, why shouldn't I take a gamble?"

"Even if we die, it will be worth it! As long as he lives, he will one day storm the Chen Family and slaughter every last one of you pieces of trash!"

"I, Chen Bonan, have groveled for over twenty years. Do you really take me for a pushover?"

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