186: Chapter 186 The Shen Family: What's Their Background?

"Old Ancestor," Great Elder Yun Zhongzi put away his long sword and said sternly, "There is one more thing I need to report upon my return."

Saint Xutian suppressed the excitement in his heart, sat back down on his bamboo chair, and a sharp glint flashed in his cloudy old eyes: "What is it?"

"Xuanyu Palace."

Great Elder Yun Zhongzi recounted how Young Palace Master Yu Wushuang had led people to intrude into the side courtyard, attacked Shen Qingyuan, and was subsequently killed by him. He also explained how Zhou Yuan and Qin Mo had delivered the corpse to Xuanyu Palace, were imprisoned, and then released.

"I killed the Young Palace Master of Xuanyu Palace, intending to use this incident to warn Xuanyu Palace and let them know that the Shen Family is not someone they can provoke."

"I did not expect that after they learned I had become a Saint and destroyed Tiangang Sect, their attitude would change drastically. Not only did they release Zhou Yuan and Qin Mo, but they also sent heavy gifts as an apology."

Saint Xutian sneered: "That old thing, Palace Master Yu Canglan, is the most calculating. Before, he relied on Xuanyu Palace being one of the Seven Great Sects to run rampant in the Southern Region. He even showed little respect for the Three Great Holy Lands. But now that he knows our Yinxian Village has two Saints, how could he dare to act recklessly?"

Great Elder Yun Zhongzi nodded: "Old Ancestor is right. However, I am not worried about Xuanyu Palace, but about that Senior."

"What about that Senior?"

"This Disciple is afraid that Xuanyu Palace will be short-sighted and provoke that Senior again." A coldness flashed in Great Elder Yun Zhongzi's eyes. "If that happens, it will not be resolved by just the death of a Young Palace Master."

Saint Xutian was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "You are right. Although that Senior has heaven-defying strength, he has a lazy personality and does not like to meddle in affairs. But if someone is short-sighted enough to provoke him, they are just courting death."

He stood up, stood with his hands behind his back, looked at the sky outside the bamboo forest, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

"In that case, you should send someone to Xuanyu Palace to pass a message. Tell them that the Shen Family of Guangnan City are honored guests of Yinxian Village. Anyone who dares to move against the Shen Family is an enemy of Yinxian Village."

Great Elder Yun Zhongzi nodded in response: "This Disciple understands."

Saint Xutian turned around, looked at Great Elder Yun Zhongzi, and a faint smile curled the corners of his mouth.

"There is one more thing."

"Please speak, Old Ancestor."

"Raise more Heaven-Swallowing Brocade-Plumed Chickens. Since that Senior likes them, we should send more over." A flash of wisdom shone in Saint Xutian's eyes. "Although that Senior has heaven-defying strength, he is not detached from worldly matters. Since he likes Heaven-Swallowing Brocade-Plumed Chickens, we will cater to his preferences. If a few chickens can be exchanged for an Opportunity to become a Saint, this deal is not a loss."

The corners of Great Elder Yun Zhongzi's mouth twitched.

A few chickens exchanged for an Opportunity to become a Saint?

This deal is not just 'not a loss,' it is... it is impossible to describe with just 'huge profit'!

"Old Ancestor is wise! This Disciple will go back and raise more!"

Saint Xutian nodded, sat back down on the bamboo chair, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

This time, he felt the tea was incredibly fragrant.

"By the way, once the chickens are raised, send them to me first. I will personally deliver them to that Senior."

"Ah?" Great Elder Yun Zhongzi was stunned.

But he was an experienced person after all, and he quickly reacted.

The Old Ancestor wants to show his face more in front of that Senior to seek an Opportunity!

Xuanyu Palace, Main Hall.

Palace Master Yu Canglan sat on the main seat, holding a Jade Slip in his hand, his old face flickering with uncertainty.

In front of him, several Elders sat on both sides, each with a solemn expression. The atmosphere in the hall was so oppressive it was almost suffocating.

"Palace Master, someone has come from Yinxian Village again." A white-haired Elder stood up and cupped his hands. "It is the same message—the Shen Family of Guangnan City are honored guests of Yinxian Village. Anyone who dares to move against the Shen Family is an enemy of Yinxian Village."

Palace Master Yu Canglan did not speak, only gently placed the Jade Slip in his hand on the table.

The Jade Slip was crystalline white, with a faint light flowing on its surface. It was a communication Jade Slip from Yinxian Village, engraved with Great Elder Yun Zhongzi's Divine Thought imprint, which could not be faked.

"This is already the third time." Another Elder said in a deep voice. "Yinxian Village repeatedly emphasizing this matter shows that their regard for the Shen Family far exceeds our imagination."

"But what exactly is the background of the Shen Family?" An Elder with a gloomy face frowned tightly. "I have sent people to investigate. The Shen Family of Guangnan City has a Legacy of eight thousand years and ranks in the middle among the thirty-six main cities of the Southern Region. The strongest in the Family is only in the Dharma Image Realm. How could such a small Family be related to Yinxian Village?"

"Dharma Image Realm?" Palace Master Yu Canglan finally spoke, his voice hoarse and carrying a hint of mockery. "Have you forgotten about the destruction of Tiangang Sect?"

Once these words were spoken, the whole hall went silent.

Tiangang Sect.

The head of the Seven Great Sects of the Southern Region, with a Legacy of ten thousand years, guarded by an Old Ancestor at the Peak of the ninth level of the Asking Dao Realm.

Overnight, it turned into ruins.

Sect Leader Li Tianxiao died, more than a dozen Elders all died, hundreds of Core Disciples were killed or scattered, and even the mountain gate was razed to the ground.

And the person who made the move was Great Elder Yun Zhongzi of Yinxian Village—a newly ascended Saint.

"Does the Palace Master mean that the destruction of Tiangang Sect is related to the Shen Family?" The white-haired Elder's pupils shrank.

Palace Master Yu Canglan did not answer directly, but took a Jade Slip from his sleeve and threw it to the Elder.

"This is the news sent back by my people in Tiangang City. See for yourselves."

The white-haired Elder took the Jade Slip and probed it with his Divine Thought.

A moment later, his face changed.

"Before Tiangang Sect was destroyed, members of the Shen Family had appeared in Tiangang City and stayed in the side courtyard of Yinxian Village. After Great Elder Yun Zhongzi became a Saint, he went to Tiangang Sect immediately, and the people of the Shen Family happened to leave Tiangang City at that time..."

His voice grew lower and lower, and his face grew paler and paler.

"This... is this a coincidence?"

"Coincidence?" Palace Master Yu Canglan sneered. "How can there be so many coincidences in the world?"

He took back the Jade Slip, swept his gaze over the crowd in the hall, and said word by word: "The destruction of Tiangang Sect, even if not directly caused by the Shen Family, is definitely inseparable from them. The first thing Great Elder Yun Zhongzi did after becoming a Saint was to go to Tiangang Sect, and the people of the Shen Family just happened to be there—what does this mean? It means that Great Elder Yun Zhongzi's ascension to Sainthood is very likely related to the Shen Family!"

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Several Elders looked at each other, seeing the horror in each other's eyes.

A Family that can make a Saint obey, and can destroy Tiangang Sect, even if it looks weak on the surface, is not something their Xuanyu Palace can provoke.

"Palace Master, what should we do then?" The white-haired Elder swallowed his saliva, his voice trembling slightly.

Palace Master Yu Canglan was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "The matter of Young Palace Master Yu Wushuang ends here."

"What?!" The Elder with the gloomy face stood up abruptly, his face livid. "Palace Master, Young Palace Master Yu Wushuang is the future heir of Xuanyu Palace! Are we just going to let it go?!"

"What else?" Palace Master Yu Canglan looked at him with no ripples in his eyes. "Do you want to take revenge? Go to Yinxian Village for revenge? Or go to the Shen Family for revenge?"

It was just a son; his Lifespan was still long, and he could have more!

It is not worth offending a Family with a mysterious background for the sake of one son.

The Elder opened his mouth but could not say a word.

Go to Yinxian Village for revenge? Yinxian Village has two Saints; what does Xuanyu Palace have to take revenge with?

Go to the Shen Family for revenge? Tiangang Sect was destroyed; how much stronger is their Xuanyu Palace compared to Tiangang Sect?

"My mind is made up." Palace Master Yu Canglan stood up, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked at the blue sky outside the hall. "From today on, no one in Xuanyu Palace is allowed to provoke the Shen Family. Violators will be expelled from the Sect."

He paused, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "In addition, prepare a generous gift. I will go to Guangnan City myself."

"Palace Master, you are going yourself?" The white-haired Elder was stunned.

"Yes." Palace Master Yu Canglan nodded. "Since the Shen Family can make Yinxian Village value them so much, and can make Great Elder Yun Zhongzi become a Saint, it means that there must be a foundation behind the Shen Family that we do not know about. Instead of accidentally offending them in the future, it is better to make friends with them early."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd in the hall: "This matter is decided."