The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

Wang Liyuan's words carried significant implications, causing Yun Yunyang and his two nephews to stiffen with realization.

A mere servant disciple had left the sect, founded a family, and over time established one of the Three Great Families and Seven Clans in Yue Country. This alone spoke volumes about the grandeur and profound heritage of the Pill Cauldron Sect from centuries ago.

Though the sect had eventually crumbled due to internal strife and disappeared into history, the treasures it left behind were undoubtedly extraordinary. If they could find even a fraction of the fortune left within the ruins, it would benefit the Yun family for years to come.

Especially tempting was the possibility of obtaining the alchemical techniques of the Pill Cauldron Sect. What if the ruins held records or tools for their fabled craft?

"The discovery of the Pill Cauldron Sect's ruins in Yue Country was made possible thanks to records passed down through the Tongshan Xia family's ancestral notes," Wang Liyuan continued.

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"It must be fraught with dangers," Yun Yantian remarked.

Liyuan smiled faintly but said nothing, implicitly confirming Yantian's suspicion.

The people of the Tongshan Xia family were no fools. If they had discovered the ruins and deemed them safe, they would never have shared the information with the Yue royal court or the country's cultivation families.

"The Tongshan Xia family clearly intends to have as many people as possible explore the ruins," Yun Yunyang said, his brows furrowing in thought. "They're hoping others will take the risks for them. Even the rumors reaching Wu Country's cultivators were likely spread intentionally."

"Uncle Yun, your insight is remarkable. With you at the helm, the Yun Cang Yun family is sure to flourish," Liyuan said, offering a polite bow.

"Young Master Liyuan, how many people is your family sending to the ruins? Perhaps we can look out for one another along the way," Yunyang inquired.

"Three, including myself," Liyuan replied with a smile. He deliberately kept the identities and cultivation levels of the other two a secret. At the ruins, everyone would be both ally and competitor. No one would give up the Pill Cauldron Sect's treasures without a fight.

"Uncle Yun, Miss Yanshuang, Brother Yantian, we've arrived. This is our ancestral hall. My ancestor is currently conversing with Master Li inside. You may proceed on your own," Liyuan said as they arrived before an opulent palace. Bowing slightly, he excused himself to welcome other guests arriving for the ceremony.

"Junior Yun Yunyang seeks an audience with Senior Wang," Yunyang announced, bowing respectfully at the palace doors.

Creak…

The grand doors opened slowly, revealing the interior of the hall. A soothing aroma of sandalwood filled the air as they stepped inside, calming their minds.

At the head of the hall sat Wang Qingshan, the Wang family's venerable ancestor. To his left sat the Imperial Court's attendant cultivator, Master Li Qing. Alongside them were three other figures, each radiating a distinct presence.

The first, dressed in a dark blue robe, had long hair tied back with a simple bamboo hairpin. Despite his sharp features, his slightly sunken eyes and tired demeanor gave the impression of perpetual fatigue.

The second wore a wine-red robe and possessed narrow, delicate features that exuded an androgynous elegance, almost as though she were a woman disguised as a man.

The third, clad in a light blue robe, had a square face and a broad, imposing frame. His natural authority was palpable, carrying the weight of one who inspired respect.

"Senior," Yunyang greeted, bowing alongside Yanshuang and Yantian.

"There's no need for such formality," Wang Qingshan said warmly, gesturing for them to take their seats.

"Master Li," Yunyang said as he took a seat beside Li Qing, bowing again.

"Allow me to introduce these gentlemen," Li Qing said with a laugh. "They are the heads of the Three Great Families:

"From the Canglan Ye family, Ye Wuwei.

"From the Wangyue Lin family, Lin Yiran.

"And from the Chuanyin Lu family, Lu Zhengqiang.

"They've come to celebrate Senior Wang's success in achieving Foundation Establishment and to attend the grand ceremony," Li Qing explained, smiling as he gestured toward the three figures.

Yunyang rose to bow to each of the family heads, but his courtesy was met with indifference. None of the three returned his greeting.@@novelbin@@

To the leaders of the Three Great Families, the Yun Cang Yun family was a minor, upstart clan—not worth their attention.

Ye Wuwei yawned lazily, stretching his arms as he glanced toward Wang Qingshan. "When will the representatives of the other six clans arrive? We've been waiting for quite some time," he said nonchalantly.

"Patience, Clan Leader Ye. They'll be here soon," Wang Qingshan said with a faint smile.

"Why wait? Let's head to the rear courtyard and be seated. When they arrive, we'll join the banquet directly. Why should we waste time waiting for the other six clans?" Lin Yiran said coldly, a sharp glint flashing in her narrow eyes.

"I agree with Ye and Lin. The six clans are far too slow," Lu Zhengqiang added, sipping his tea with a faint smirk. "But more importantly, we've been made to wait not just for the six clans but also for an insignificant new cultivation family.

"Wang Qingshan, are you keeping us waiting like this because you think the Three Great Families are easy to push around?"

His tone was sharp, his dissatisfaction palpable. To Lu Zhengqiang, waiting for the six clans was already grating, but the inclusion of a newly established family like the Yun Cang Yun family was an outright affront. Did Wang Qingshan truly think his Foundation Establishment breakthrough allowed him to disregard the Three Great Families' authority?

Wang Qingshan smiled politely. "Clan Leader Lu, you misunderstand. If the three of you are growing impatient, please allow me to lead you to the rear courtyard to await the banquet."

As Wang Qingshan rose to guide the three clan leaders, Yun Yunyang also stood and prepared to leave the hall with Li Qing. Yunyang's curiosity was piqued, and his gaze lingered on the departing Wang Qingshan and the Three Great Families' leaders.

Noticing Yunyang's intrigue, Li Qing raised his hand and silently cast a barrier around them, isolating their conversation from prying ears.

"The Yulin Wang family and the Three Great Families have been secretly at odds for years," Li Qing explained. "As the strongest of the seven clans, the Wang family has long been a thorn in the side of the Three Great Families. They've worked tirelessly to prevent the Wang family from rising and challenging their dominance as Yue Country's fourth major family."

Li Qing's voice turned somber as he continued. "Recently, the Three Great Families covertly dispatched experts and hired rogue cultivators to sabotage Wang Qingshan's Foundation Establishment breakthrough. But the Wang family's defenses held strong, and their efforts failed.

"Now that Wang Qingshan has successfully reached the Foundation Establishment, the imperial court will likely follow protocol and officially recognize the Wang family as Yue Country's fourth major family. This recognition will grant them leverage to contend with the Three Great Families for greater influence and resources."

"Such as the Yulin Lake cultivation market?" Yunyang asked.

"Exactly," Li Qing replied. "The Yulin Lake cultivation market generates staggering wealth daily. If the Wang family solidifies its position, they'll undoubtedly seek to wrest control of the market from the Three Great Families. Naturally, the Three Great Families will not relinquish such a lucrative asset without a fight."

"That explains why the Three Great Families' leaders arrived so early. They must have coordinated to pressure the Wang family during the ceremony," Yunyang observed.

"Indeed," Li Qing confirmed. "The six clans are mere spectators, though they are also allies of the Wang family. They've long suffered under the Three Great Families' dominance and fully support the Wang family's rise.

"That's why the Three Great Families arrived early, while the six clans have delayed their appearance. Wang Qingshan, in turn, has postponed the start of the ceremony to avoid giving the Three Great Families undue advantage."

"And what is the court's position?" Yunyang asked.

"The court is playing it safe. They'll let the Three Great Families and the Wang-led alliance of seven clans battle it out. Whoever emerges victorious will dictate terms to the court," Li Qing said.

Yunyang nodded in understanding. He knew the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans wielded enough power to rival even Yue Country's royal court. The court's best strategy was to remain neutral and wait for the outcome of this power struggle.

Li Qing, as the court's representative, was likely here to observe and report, ensuring the court could align with the winning side.

"It seems the real players at this ceremony are the Three Great Families and the Wang family. We're merely bystanders, invited to watch," Yunyang said with a wry smile.

"Haha! That's true," Li Qing replied. "But I don't mind. The court doesn't mind. And neither do the other cultivation families in Yue Country."

Yunyang fell silent, deep in thought.

The undercurrents of this struggle were deep and treacherous. He realized that as the Yun Cang Yun family grew stronger, it would inevitably be drawn into similar conflicts. The thought lingered as he followed Li Qing to the rear courtyard, his mind swirling with plans for the future.