30: Convene a meeting and prepare for war, target: Fang family

In the end, Jun Hongxuan still didn't agree to another round.

Jun Lingxiao tried it again afterward and found that Sword Might had a considerable boost to this Mortal Sword move; the speed, size, and power of the sword light were all affected to some extent.

Fortunately, as long as Sword Might existed, it wouldn't disappear unless the sword was drawn. Whether it was drawing the sword to unleash Mortal Sword or something else, this Sword Might could provide various enhancements, especially a noticeable increase in power.

However, the growth of Sword Might seemed to be related to Jun Lingxiao's own Sword Heart, but what Sword Heart was, he hadn't quite figured out yet.

All in all, it was a good gain, and could be considered a semi-support skill.

The days that followed were quite monotonous. Jun Hongxuan came once a day, always with a relaxed expression, but Jun Lingxiao heard some rumors from An Luoxin.

Jun Hongxuan's lineage was completely finished.

The leading Rong Family, and many affiliated families behind Jun Hongxuan, had been infiltrated. Especially the Rong Family, who had been planted in the Jun Family thirty years ago. A game played for over thirty years, yet before they even made a move, Jun Lingxiao exposed it with a single word.

Of the dozen or so affiliated families and followers behind Jun Hongxuan, three-tenths were infiltrated, all by members of the Fang Family.

The Old Ancestor was furious. No other intelligence was needed; the day he learned the Fang Family was behind it, all related individuals were beheaded, not a single one left.

From Cultivators aged a thousand years down to newborn infants, all were beheaded and displayed.

As for the steward who was first exposed, not even his ashes remained. It was said that Jun Wenhao personally took action.

During this time, Jun Hongxiao visibly withered quite a bit, looking absent-minded all day. Many rumors also spread within the Jun Family.

Jun Lingxiao proactively offered to help.

But unexpectedly.

Jun Hongxuan refused.

He said he would take responsibility for his actions; it was his fault for misjudging people and letting traitors into the Jun Family. If Jun Lingxiao hadn't seen through them, the consequences would have been unimaginable, and it was aimed at Jun Lingxiao. He felt ashamed and dared not ask Jun Lingxiao for help again.

Jun Lingxiao let him be.

However, the rumors continued to ferment.

"It's your affiliated Family members! Spying in the Jun Family, trying to attack the Divine Son, it's disgusting!"

"Exactly! Who knows if there are any spies among you here! I'm not competing; looking at you all annoys me!"

"I'm not competing either. The Divine Son is such a good person; how dare you make a move against him?!"

This time, as Jun Lingxiao arrived at the God Tablet Platform as usual, the clamor reached his ears.

In just a few days, hundreds of Disciples had signed up with him, arriving on time for the martial arts competition. This was the first time a conflict had erupted.

A conflict brought into the open meant that the underlying conflicts were a hundred times more intense.

"What are you doing?"

Jun Lingxiao walked over and reprimanded them.

Of course, he knew what had happened without waiting for their reply.

The branch and affiliated Disciples, led by Lin Qingxi, looked distressed, unable to lift their heads under the verbal assault. After all, the facts were clear; the traitor incident had caused a huge stir, and the confidence he had built up for the branch Disciples was instantly shattered.

They didn't even dare to utter a word of rebuttal.

Jun Lingxiao saw all of this. If this matter wasn't handled well, everything he had done before would be in vain.

"Divine Son, they..."

Someone pointed at Lin Qingxi and a few others, looking at Jun Lingxiao, wanting to speak. But then, looking at Lin Qingxi and the others again, they didn't even dare to make eye contact with him.

"Alright, I know everything."

Jun Lingxiao stepped closer, his tone softening: "I know it's because something happened with the Tenth Dao Child."

"Of course, it's more than that. Because this major purge uncovered many spies, most of whom were from branch affiliated families."

"I know you're angry, but everyone, taking anger out on others is not the demeanor of a strong person. Those who can stand here today have certainly been thoroughly investigated by our Jun Family's upper echelons. You clearly know this, yet you still act this way."

"Or are you hoping for something more practical? That our Jun Family will cut off all branches and expel all affiliates starting today?"

"That way, there definitely won't be any traitors. Is that what you wish for?"

Jun Lingxiao questioned the crowd.

At this, several people's expressions changed, and they dared not reply.

Jun Lingxiao, through his proactive investigation during this period, had also gained a considerable understanding of the Jun Family. He sighed lightly and continued: "Our Jun Family is inherently a Family where strength reigns supreme. It is precisely because of our power, and because we embrace all, that our Jun Family can be what it is today."

"Legend says that in ancient times, when Yao Beasts caused chaos, it was our Jun Family that subdued all the beasts, incorporating the once despised Yao Beasts into our Family, step by step achieving everything we have today."

"For those who serve our Jun Family, the Jun Family treats them with courtesy. For those who betray our Jun Family, we will pursue them even if they are far away!"

"Regarding traitors, of course, we cannot be soft-hearted. But among those present, although many are not of our surname, can you negate everything they have done for our Jun Family in the past because of a few individuals?"

"Traitors are not terrifying; what is terrifying is when our own people are at odds with each other. This is what other families hope to see. Since we know this, how can we let them have their way?"

Jun Lingxiao's speech was impassioned and inspiring. The Jun Family had always embraced all, and as long as one was capable, regardless of origin, they could find a place in the Jun Family.

It was precisely because of this that the Jun Family's strength was so formidable, with countless families pledging allegiance, though it also made many enemies.

"Then Divine Son, what should we do?"

A Disciple from the main Family asked.

Jun Lingxiao scoffed in response: "What to do?"

"Everyone knows who the enemy is, right? The Fang Family, one of the Ten Chiefs, our sworn enemy. Since you know who the enemy is, why are you fighting amongst yourselves here? Why are you asking me?"

"You all should think about it yourselves."

With that, Jun Lingxiao turned and left directly. He was no longer suited to stay there.

But just then, a voice rang out behind him, accompanied by a thud.

He turned around and saw Lin Qingxi kneeling on the ground.

"Your Highness Divine Son, I, Lin Qingxi, swear... I have never had any thought of betraying the Divine Son... betraying the Jun Family..."

She knelt on the ground in pain, kowtowing, her forehead touching the ground with utmost sincerity.

Seeing Jun Lingxiao turn back, the other branch Family Disciples also knelt down, shouting loudly in unison:

"Your Highness Divine Son, I, Qiu Yongyan, have never betrayed the Divine Son, never betrayed the Jun Family!"

"Your Highness Divine Son, I, Yu Ruyun, have never betrayed the Divine Son, never betrayed the Jun Family!"

"Your Highness Divine Son, I, Jun Chengtian, have never betrayed the Divine Son, never betrayed the Jun Family!"

The shouts even reached the sky.

The loud voices were filled with grievance, unwillingness, and... a hint of trust.

If others said they betrayed the Jun Family, they could ignore it, because they themselves knew it was nonsense and didn't need to be addressed.

But Jun Lingxiao was different; he was the only one they didn't want to believe that.

Through their interactions these past few days, they had realized that Jun Lingxiao truly treated everyone equally. As the Divine Son, above tens of thousands of people, he showed no arrogance whatsoever, even proactively giving out rewards from his own pocket and offering them opportunities.

Even among the Dao Children, there was no such person, let alone the Divine Son, who was above the Dao Children.

This trust came as such a delightful surprise, filling them with both awe and a heartfelt desire not to let Jun Lingxiao down.

Jun Lingxiao looked at the kneeling crowd from the branch families, then glanced at the somewhat stunned Disciples from the main Family, nodding imperceptibly. Clearly, they hadn't expected such a scene.

There were nearly a hundred people from the branch families alone present; Jun Lingxiao's list had attracted many.

Of course, he knew these people were innocent, everyone present knew, but he was the Divine Son and could not show favoritism. Thinking of this, he looked at the kneeling crowd and said:

"I don't listen to what you say; I only watch what you do."

"Everyone, listen carefully. Our Jun Family is not afraid of traitors; if there are any, we eliminate them, that's all. But you must distinguish who the enemy is and not let our own people feel disheartened."

The first sentence was for the branch families, and the latter was for the main Family. After speaking, Jun Lingxiao left without delay.

"Hmph, this kid, he sure can talk."

"Everyone, what do you think?"

The Old Ancestor in the sky couldn't help but laugh as he watched Jun Lingxiao depart, then looked at the Elders behind him.

This time, not only Jun Wenhao but almost all key Elders were present, after all, this incident centered around Jun Lingxiao and swept through the entire Jun Family.

"This Divine Son, at such a young age, possesses such vision. Our Jun Family has a worthy successor."

An Elder immediately spoke, and his words were met with agreement from the others.

"Indeed, traitors, we uncover a few every year, and it's generally harmless. But this incident was indeed more serious, covering too wide a scope. Who would have thought that nearly three-tenths of the affiliated families harbored traitors? The Fang Family doesn't have that capability; there are probably others behind them."

"Just branch families, thankfully it didn't shake our Jun Family's Foundation. I had intended to handle this matter with a cold approach, but the Divine Son's words resonated deeply with me. They should be broadcast throughout the entire Family."

"I agree. Haven't people always said our Jun Family lacks cohesion? Look, here it comes."

"This generation's Divine Son is very much to my liking..."

"Yes, unlike the previous Divine Son; his father, with all his talent and ability, did nothing for the Family and eventually disappeared, not even returning for his son's birth, insisting on pursuing that woman."

"Enough!" The Old Ancestor interrupted them, waving his hand and beginning to issue commands.

"Announce his recent speech to the entire Family, let them see what kind of person our Jun Family's young Divine Son of this generation truly is."

"Also, convene a grand meeting."

"It's one thing for us and the Fang Family to have minor friction normally, but their hand has stretched too far this time! They actually dared to touch young Lingxiao!"

"I like this child very much, and I won't let this go. If they dare to reach out, then cut off all their hands for me!"

"Finally, five years old... there's no precedent for this, but it doesn't matter. Inform the Divine Son, and have him attend the meeting as well."

Listening to the Old Ancestor's commands, the Great Emperors exchanged glances. The Old Ancestor's words implied a declaration of war against the Fang Family... The reason for war was simple: other matters could be discussed, but if you dare to touch our Family's Divine Son, then prepare for retaliation!