Volume 14, Chapter 946 – I Am Your Ancestor

With the threat of the Immortal Stele gone, Han Yurou seemed as though she’d been reborn. A smile once again bloomed on her face, and each day she diligently treated the red spots on Qi Huang’s face. She appeared to be someone who knew how to repay kindness.

In the blink of an eye, several more days passed. The final deadline set by the Xi family had arrived, and the citizens of Nanshan City were all speculating about what choice the Han family would make.

“Strange, the Xi family’s deadline is almost here. Why hasn’t there been any movement from the Han family?”

“This isn’t a wedding, it’s sending a daughter off to be a concubine. Such a humiliating affair. If it were you, would you throw a grand banquet and beat drums to announce it?”

“Exactly. The Han family is, after all, the top Immortal clan on Jinguang Planet. Han Yurou was even the top Immortal Seed of the previous generation. And now she’s reduced to becoming a mere concubine? Just thinking about it makes me feel ashamed for them.”

“And the worst part, it’s the Xi family we’re talking about. Not only did they seize the Han family’s ancestor’s remains, they even sliced off the flesh piece by piece to craft artifacts. That’s just outrageous.”

“That’s the cultivation world for you, the strong reign supreme. If you don’t want to end up like the Han family, trampled underfoot, then you’d better cultivate with your life.”

In every alley and corner, idle talk abounded. The overwhelming majority believed that the Han family would undoubtedly submit.

Meanwhile, things looked entirely different over at the Xi family on Tianyan Planet. To be able to take in the Han family’s top genius as a concubine, this was undoubtedly something to flaunt. Invitations were sent far and wide, as if they feared no one might hear of it.

The various major forces on Tianyan Planet gave full face, sending their important representatives to attend and show support.

Of course, if one were to ask who among them was the most significant guest, that would certainly be the group of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals who showed up uninvited.

General Xi had originally been ordered to purge this world, but out of homesickness, decided to pay the Xi family a visit first. As fate would have it, he happened upon this joyous occasion. Without a word, he left a gift and entered with a few attendants to partake in the celebration.

“No wonder this is the general’s clan. Even a junior taking a concubine causes such a stir.”

“You don’t know? This is the result of the general’s blessings upon his descendants.”

“The general is blessed with a flourishing career; he’s clearly chosen by the heavens. His fortune extends not just to his descendants, but to everyone around him—including us, his subordinates.”

“Exactly! If we weren’t following the general, would we be enjoying such luxury? We must toast the general!”

Several subordinates offered their flattery in hushed tones, raising their cups in unison.

“Sigh, brothers, you flatter me too much. The reason I’ve risen so far in rank is all thanks to your loyal support. I toast to you all.”

General Xi lifted his cup in return, his expression one of barely restrained pride.

“No, no, you honor us!”

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His subordinates were inwardly panicking, hands trembling as they held their cups.

“Looks like my descendants haven’t let me down.”

General Xi downed his wine in one gulp, then looked over the gathered Xi family with a pleased expression.

But facts proved he had celebrated too early. The auspicious time came and went, yet the Han family still had not sent Han Yurou.

The Xi family began to panic. They gathered in the back courtyard to discuss a countermeasure.

“Why hasn’t that old Han sent his granddaughter yet? Isn’t he afraid of having her suppressed by the immortal might?”

“Could it be… he knows our Immortal Stele has lost its power?”

“That’s impossible. Our Xi family hasn’t activated the stele in over three hundred years. How would he know that?”

“Maybe because he thinks he has leverage, he’s betting we wouldn’t dare activate it.”

“That must be it. So what now? If Han Yurou doesn’t appear when the time comes, won’t the secret of our stele’s failure be exposed?”

“Damn it! If that bastard Han causes the secret of our stele to be revealed, I’ll wipe out the entire Han family!”

The Xi clan members were cursing and growling, ready to tear the Han family limb from limb.

“Everyone, the Han family is far off on Jinguang Planet. Even if I wanted to go now and drag Han Yurou back, it’s already too late. If she doesn’t show by the time, I’ll make an announcement to the guests,” said Xi Hou, the clan patriarch.

“Uncle, what do you plan to say? These two Immortal Steles are critical to the future of our clan,” Xi Bing, his nephew, asked urgently.

“I’ll tell them that due to certain reasons, the date of the concubine’s entry has been postponed. I’ve temporarily removed Han Yurou’s name from the stele. That should at least preserve the secret of its failure.”

Though displeased, Xi Hou explained patiently.

“That’s not a bad plan.”

The clan members murmured among themselves, nodding one after another.

“But the problem is the Han family won’t play along. If they say the wrong thing, our Xi family’s reputation will take a serious hit.”

Xi Bing was not ready to let it go.

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“Don’t worry. Your grandfather should be arriving soon. If Han Yurou doesn’t show today, tomorrow we’ll go to the Han family and make them kneel in submission.”

Xi Hou spoke through clenched teeth, suppressing his fury. What choice did he have, as head of the family?

“Big Brother.”

A voice suddenly rang out, and a tall elderly man stepped into the courtyard.

“Xi Xiang, you’re back,” Xi Hou quickly moved to greet him, while everyone else wore expressions of awe.

Indeed, this man was Xi Bing’s grandfather, Xi Xiang, another pinnacle Heavenly Tribulation Realm cultivator of the Xi clan. He’d been away for some time searching for weak points in spatial barriers and had only just returned.

“Of course I came. My grandson is taking a concubine. How could I, his grandfather, not return to offer congratulations?”

Xi Xiang looked at Xi Yu with a mild expression.

“Hehe, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, Grandfather,” Xi Yu said with an awkward smile.

“What happened?”

Xi Xiang asked in confusion.

Xi Hou sighed, then recounted the current situation… Though he kept the matter of the Chaotic Corpse body to himself.

“That Han Qianyang! Where did he get the guts to defy our Xi family? He kidnapped my grandson’s woman? Does he want to be exterminated?”

Xi Xiang exploded in fury.

“Little brother, cursing won’t solve the problem. Here’s what I propose…”

Xi Hou laid out his plan.

“Fine, we’ll do as you say. For now, we protect the secret of the stele. Tomorrow, I’ll personally go to the Han family and make that old fool regret everything.”

Xi Xiang snarled.

The auspicious hour arrived. And as expected, Han Yurou never appeared.

“Did any of you see that Han girl come in?”

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“No.”

“How could that be? Doesn’t she care about her life?”

“She must have entered when we weren’t looking. Otherwise, why hasn’t the stele reacted?”

“True, but we didn’t hear any drums or celebration sounds.”

“Could the rumors be true that all the Immortal Steles in the cultivation world have failed, and the Xi family’s too?”

Guests began whispering amongst themselves as time dragged on without Han Yurou’s appearance.

General Xi’s face darkened like a scorched pot upon hearing those murmurs. His surrounding subordinates fell into absolute silence, too afraid to speak.

Xi Hou led a few family members to the courtyard and made a loud announcement: “Everyone, I must apologize. Due to an unforeseen issue from the Han family’s side, I’ve removed Han Yurou’s name from the Immortal Stele. My grandson’s concubine ceremony will have to be postponed.”

“Unforeseen issue? What kind? The Han family didn’t agree, did they?”

“Of course. Han Yurou is their top genius. Why would they hand her over so easily to be someone’s concubine?”

“If the Han family refused, and the Xi family just took her name off the stele. Aren’t they being way too soft?”

“Exactly. The Xi family holds two Immortal Steles, yet they back down to the Han family who doesn’t even have one? They’ve lost face for all of us cultivators on Tianyan Planet.”

“If names on the stele can be erased just like that, what deterrent power does the stele even have anymore?”

The guests mocked them mercilessly, not holding back in the slightest.

Xi Hou’s expression stiffened, but he still forced himself to remain composed: “Apologies. I will provide a full explanation at a later date. Your gifts will be returned in full. As a token of apology, the Xi family will proceed with the three-day banquet as originally planned. I hope you all enjoy yourselves.”

Though the guests refrained from saying more, their expressions showed they had lost all interest. After all, they had traveled great distances to witness drama, not to enjoy a meal.

“Steward Yang, immediately return all the guests’ gifts exactly as they came. There must be no mistakes. Understood?”

“Yes, Grand Elder!” Steward Yang hurried off to carry out the order.

“Heh… so these are the descendants of the Xi family? You’ve truly shamed your ancestors.”

Just then, a voice rang out at the worst possible time.

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Silence fell. All heads turned, eyes wide in shock. Who would dare insult the Xi family so openly?

Naturally, in this kind of situation, the only one who could dare mock the Xi family publicly was the ancestor himself: General Xi.

Xi Hou, who had been barely holding back, suddenly erupted. His fury surged to the top of his head as he glared at General Xi: “Who are you to ridicule the Xi family? Tired of living?”

“You must be the current clan head. I’m quite disappointed in you. The proudest Immortal family on Tianyan Planet turned into a laughingstock by your hands.”

General Xi shook his head with disappointment.

“We’ll see who’s laughing soon enough.”

Xi Hou said no more. In a flash, he charged forward with sword in hand. He had been looking for a target to make an example of, and here someone dared deliver himself right to the door.

“Hmph, overestimating yourself!”

With a cold snort, General Xi moved his mind. A burst of Divine Sense pressed down toward Xi Hou.

At the pinnacle of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm, Xi Hou felt as if the sky had collapsed. His legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees.

BOOM…!

A terrifying explosion shook the courtyard. The yellow granite beneath Xi Hou’s feet shattered, and the entire ground was upheaved. Debris flew everywhere, striking guests with screams and cries of pain.

Xi Hou trembled on his knees in the crater, barely able to stay upright, much less fight back.

“How is this possible?”

Everyone around was stunned beyond belief. Xi Hou was the top cultivator of Tianyan Planet, a peak expert at the Heavenly Tribulation Realm, and yet he couldn’t withstand even a single wave of Divine Sense from this stranger. Could the man be… an Immortal?

A chill surged through every Xi family member’s spine. Their anger instantly extinguished, replaced by a deep, bone-chilling fear. Even Xi Xiang slowly retreated with a wary expression.

Xi Hou knelt under the eyes of the crowd, overwhelmed with shame. He gritted his teeth and struggled, but it was no use. Tears of humiliation rolled down his aged face.

“Don’t bother struggling. Bow your head a few times—it won’t kill you. I… am your ancestor, Xi Lin.”

General Xi then revealed his identity. As their ancestor, he naturally would not push his descendants too hard.