"How did your father rise to power back then? Where are his brothers now?
You know better than anyone.
The Hun Family's ancestral precepts were never meant to protect the weak; they are for the victor to use when cleaning up the mess."
Hun Cangfeng's voice was calm and measured, but every word cut like a knife:
"If you win and ascend to the position of Family Head, and you say the ancestral precepts forbid kin-slaying, then all evidence will prove that Hun Qianxue's death had absolutely nothing to do with you.
Any excuse would be plausible.
But if you lose, only then do the ancestral precepts become real. In this place, whoever wins is the ancestral precept.
And you—"
He paused, looking up to meet Third Young Master Hun Qianchen's gaze, his eyes as deep as a well.
"Have you truly considered the consequences of losing?"
Third Young Master Hun Qianchen fell silent. His throat moved as if he wanted to say something, but nothing came out.
Wu Tianqiong had been leaning back in his chair, listening in silence like a still statue. Only now did he finally speak.
"Hun Cangfeng, you really are ruthless."
He clapped his hands, a faint, mocking smile playing on his lips:
"To be able to strike at your own kin like this... I, Wu Tianqiong, have prided myself on living a dangerous life for many years, but I actually admire you a bit now."
Hun Cangfeng ignored his teasing and turned his gaze toward him:
"Sect Leader Wu, you are already bound to us. The news of your adopted son Wu Congshan dealing with Han Xuanji has already spread; you have already taken our side. Of course, if you want to withdraw, I have no objection, however... you cannot let word of this matter get out."
Wu Tianqiong laughed heartily:
"Persuade Young Master Qianchen first."
A long time passed.
"How certain are you?"
Third Young Master Hun Qianchen's voice was hoarse, like a stone scraping against sandpaper.
Hun Cangfeng did not answer immediately.
With a wave of his hand, a light screen manifested before the three of them.
It was a map.
"I have been planning this for a long, long time."
Hun Cangfeng was not lying. He had known for a long time that it was nearly impossible to seize the position of Family Head through normal means.
Therefore, he had long since bribed many of Hun Qianxue's confidants. He had even deliberately done nothing during this period, allowing Third Young Master Hun Qianchen to be suppressed. He wanted to force Third Young Master Hun Qianchen's hand.
Now, he was already halfway to success.
...
Time flowed slowly.
After returning to the Hun Family, Han Xuanji uncharacteristically did not go into seclusion immediately. Instead, he began reviewing information he hadn't bothered to look at before.
Ever since he reached the top of the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder, there had been a constant stream of people in Qianhun City trying to curry favor with him. Most were various visiting cards and invitations, some public and some private. Among these people were members of Third Young Master Hun Qianchen's faction.
Han Xuanji's method of handling such messages was consistently simple: if he could reply, he'd send a polite acknowledgement, and then set them all aside.
But this time, Han Xuanji intended to meet these people and figure out exactly what they were plotting. Of course, if there were a chance to meet key figures like Third Young Master Hun Qianchen or Hun Cangfeng, that would be even better; the useful information he could obtain would likely be far greater.
Hard work pays off; a few days later.
Han Xuanji quickly pieced together a vital piece of intelligence, one that even made a chill run down his spine.
If these people actually succeeded, it would be a major blow to him as well.
"Fortunately, I discovered it early."
Han Xuanji let out a long sigh of relief.
It seemed he couldn't get too immersed in cultivation.
Otherwise, he might not even know when death was at his door.
"Forget it, I need to notify them about this immediately."
Han Xuanji didn't care about anything else and quickly notified Hun Qianling, asking her to take him to find Hun Qianxue.
Upon receiving the message, Hun Qianling also realized the gravity of the situation from Han Xuanji's words. Without the slightest hesitation, she rushed to the Purple Soul Grotto-Heaven.
"You just said you want to see my eldest brother? Now?"
"Yes, right now."
Han Xuanji's tone was calm and firm.
"Some things cannot be delayed."
Though Hun Qianling had doubts, seeing Han Xuanji's resolute expression, she stopped questioning and nodded:
"Alright, I'll take you. My brother should still be handling Family affairs right now, but... what do you want to say to him? Is it about Baili Qianchi?"
Han Xuanji didn't stop walking. His eyes darkened as he spoke slowly:
"It's more than just Baili Qianchi.
Qianling, you should also know that Wu Congshan is behind Baili Qianchi, and Wu Congshan is merely a pawn pushed forward by Third Young Master Hun Qianchen and Hun Cangfeng.
Their ambitions go far beyond simply suppressing me."
Hun Qianling snapped out of it, realizing the immense significance of the matter, and said no more. The two wasted no more time and soon arrived at the palace where Hun Qianxue was located.
...
Inside a room in the palace.
Hun Qianxue, Hun Qianling, and Han Xuanji sat down respectively.
"I am already aware of the incident at Qianmeng Pavilion. Are you here because of that?"
Hun Qianxue asked directly, then answered his own question:
"I will handle this matter. The Tianwu Sect's reach has extended a bit too far."
He had already made some arrangements to strictly forbid these people from disturbing Han Xuanji.
In Hun Qianxue's heart, Han Xuanji's importance had skyrocketed. Regardless of the aspect, he would never allow anything to happen to Han Xuanji. In fact, as early as a day ago, he had already sent someone to warn the Tianwu Sect.
He hadn't expected the two of them to come to him directly.
"Naturally, it is not purely about that."
Han Xuanji's voice suddenly dropped, his gaze fixed directly on Hun Qianxue:
"But are everyone here trustworthy?"
The temperature in the study suddenly dropped a few degrees.
Hun Qianxue's expression became much more serious as he said slowly:
"They are trustworthy."
He knew that Han Xuanji wasn't referring to Hun Qianling, but to the several experts secretly guarding the room inside and out.
Hearing this, Han Xuanji shook his head and said slowly:
"I ask Brother Qianxue to have these people leave, or else have them come out."
The matter was significant; there could be no mistakes.
"Oh?"
Hun Qianxue's eyes sharpened, finding the young man before him increasingly mysterious.
Superb talent, incredibly low-key, and an extremely mysterious background that even his sister was unwilling to reveal.
Of course, Hun Qianxue had already guessed that Han Xuanji might be a Transcendent from some Primordial Chaos.
Although Transcendents were rare, in the history of the Eternal Continent, the title was not unheard of. The incredibly powerful Cultivators in history were all Transcendents without exception.
In fact, under the influence of the eternal tree, new worlds of Chaos were born in this world at every moment.
"Fine."
Hun Qianxue waved his hand, and four figures appeared beside Han Xuanji.
Han Xuanji sized them up one by one.
The atmosphere was exceptionally heavy; no one knew what Han Xuanji was up to.
After a good while, Han Xuanji finally breathed a sigh of relief.
There was no problem with these people.