292: Changing circumstances

"What? Ye Kong actually advanced to God?"

The Ye Family Head was greatly alarmed, taken aback by Ye Yuanfeng's report.

In less than a day, the news of Ye Kong's advancement to God had spread throughout Kyoto and even the Dragon Kingdom.

The common people all clapped their hands in celebration, as this meant the Dragon Kingdom they lived in would become even safer.

Wang Jian and the other Dragon Kingdom Royal Family members were naturally very happy. After meticulous arrangements, they began to widely publicize the news of Ye Kong's advancement to God.

Now, everyone knew that Ye Kong was an honored guest of the Dragon Kingdom Royal Family. Anyone who dared to offend the Dragon Kingdom Royal Family would be offending Ye Kong.

The prestige of the Dragon Kingdom Royal Family reached its Peak for the first time since the Great Qin King's disappearance.

Wang Jian also adopted Cao Zhan's suggestion, taking advantage of this momentum to recruit many powerful experts and masters from across the Great Qin Kingdom.

People heard that the Dragon Kingdom Royal Family had the protection of God Ye Kong, and many came to pledge their allegiance to the Dragon Kingdom Royal Family.

Wang Jian's glory was unmatched for a time.

Some rejoiced, while others worried. The Kyoto God Clans, the Ye Family and the Long Family, were currently on pins and needles.

Although Ye Kong had returned to the Dragon Kingdom and become involved with the Royal Family before, he was only a Venerable. The Ye Family and Long Family, protected by Gods, naturally had no fear.

But now the situation was different. Ye Kong had advanced to God. Once he turned against the Royal Family, a God war would immediately erupt. Even if they won, it was hard to guarantee that other Families wouldn't benefit from their struggle, and they themselves would suffer heavy losses.

They had no choice but to re-evaluate the path they had originally intended to take.

At the Ye Family mansion, such a discussion was taking place.

Ye Yuanfeng, the Young Lord of the Ye Family, knelt on the ground, reporting to the Family Head what he had seen in the Land of the Gods within the Royal Family's territory.

"Ye Kong should have absorbed the thunder god divinity. The advancement process was incredibly smooth, and every anomaly corresponded to his Lightning Element talent."

"In the end, he even received the recognition of the Heavenly Dao, proving his successful advancement. All of the above are things I witnessed with my own eyes!"

The Ye Family Head and other Elders sat together, listening to Ye Yuanfeng's report, feeling very uneasy.

Many of the strong individuals became even more nervous, as once the Ye Family sided with the New Imperial Capital Faction and turned against the Royal Family, they would be the first to face Ye Kong's wrath.

Everyone discussed animatedly, finally turning their gaze to the Family Head. The Family Head's expression was solemn, his eyes narrowed, as he considered carefully.

An Elder said, "Ye Kong previously harassed our mansion, causing the God Ancestor to intervene. Ye Kong almost completely destroyed our residence. How can such a grudge go unavenged!"

Another Elder said, "No, times have changed. If Ye Kong were not a God, we could deal with him however we wanted. Now that he has advanced to God, why not turn an enemy into a friend?"

Yet another Elder said, "Ye Kong is merely a newly advanced God. What is there to fear? Our Ye Family God Ancestor is a High-level God. Are we afraid of him, Ye Kong!"

An Elder urged, "Family Head, we must decide quickly and prepare early, otherwise the Royal Family will gain the upper hand, and we might fall behind!"

"Yes, yes, we must make a decision soon!" Everyone echoed.

"Allow me to think it over!"

The Ye Family Head was very hesitant. Ye Kong's advancement to God completely disrupted their plans. This sudden change was something no one could have anticipated.

The Kyoto God Clans, the Long Family, were in the same situation now.

After Long Ao recounted Ye Kong's situation, he sat to the side, silent.

The Elders discussed animatedly.

An Elder said, "Family Head, our Long Family is different from the Ye Family. Although Long Ao was once Ye Kong's opponent, there is no direct hatred between them. And in their several encounters, Ye Kong always won, so he probably won't hold a grudge against our Long Family."

"I think it would be better to win over Ye Kong. As for the invitation from the New Imperial Capital Faction, I think we can put it on hold for a while and decide after seeing Ye Kong's attitude."

Upon hearing this, everyone found it reasonable and feasible, so they all agreed.

The Long Family Head nodded. Since everyone was in agreement, he said, "Since everyone agrees, then we will follow this plan."

The Family Head looked at the silent Long Ao and said, "Long Ao, you were once Ye Kong's opponent and had many interactions with him. Are you willing, for the future of our Long Family, to meet with him and sound him out?"

Although Long Ao was very unwilling, he still agreed.

"Ye Kong will return in three days. I will go find him then!"

Hearing Long Ao's affirmative reply, the hearts of the Long Family members, which had been hanging, were half relieved... The Kyoto God Clans, the Yu Family, had always maintained a neutral stance. After the Great Qin King's disappearance, they neither obeyed the Dragon Kingdom Royal Family nor openly suppressed them, merely keeping their distance.

Their discussions were relatively peaceful. They had no grievances with Ye Kong, nor with the Royal Family. Since Ye Kong had advanced to God, making friends with him was naturally the best strategy.

As for the New Imperial Capital Faction, they would let them wait a few days before deciding.

The Kyoto God Clans, the He Family, originally had their Young Lord, He Ya, strongly advocating for the He Family to side with the Royal Family, but the Family Elders still had differing opinions.

But now that Ye Kong had advanced to God, the He Family's Elders' attitudes changed dramatically.

Given that He Ya herself maintained a friendly relationship with Wang Jian, the He Family Head directly authorized He Ya to represent the Family in contacting the Great Qin Royal Family and Ye Kong. If things went smoothly, the He Family would return under the banner of the Dragon Kingdom Royal Family.

He Ya gladly accepted the command.

This change naturally made the people sent by the New Imperial Capital Faction to Kyoto as lobbyists uneasy. After receiving the latest intelligence from the Four Great Divine Families of Kyoto, they prepared to rush back to the Imperial Capital overnight to meet "That Lord."

Late at night, the lobbyist donned a black robe, preparing to slip out of the city directly. Reaching the city wall, he glanced at the guards at the gate and prepared to climb over the wall.

However, just as he got onto the wall, he heard a female voice.

"Is Kyoto a place where you can come and go as you please?"

The lobbyist was greatly alarmed, knowing he had been discovered. He quickly tried to jump over the wall to leave, but the hand of the person behind him had already landed on his shoulder.

The lobbyist exerted all his strength, releasing a wave of pressure, trying to shake off the person.

However, that person also released pressure, suppressing the lobbyist instead.

The lobbyist was greatly shocked. Turning around, he saw it was Xue Ruyu.

Xue Ruyu's gaze was like lightning, and she sneered, "The Young Lord truly predicted you would try to escape and had me wait on the city wall!"

The lobbyist flipped his wrist, unleashing a strange force.

Xue Ruyu released her hand, twirled her body, and reappeared behind the lobbyist, placing her hand on his shoulder again. This time, the force was great. The lobbyist felt his shoulder sink and was pushed to the ground by Xue Ruyu.

Without a word, Xue Ruyu gave the fallen lobbyist a good beating.

Hearing the commotion, the soldiers finally arrived and, with Xue Ruyu's help, tied up the lobbyist.

"Escort him to the Young Lord!" Xue Ruyu said heroically.