The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Brother Yunyang," Baili Xi greeted with a warm smile as he approached Yun Yunyang.

"Your Majesty," Yun Yunyang said, rising swiftly with Yun Yanshui to bow respectfully.

"No need for such formalities in front of me," Baili Xi said, waving a hand dismissively.

"I trust Master Li has already explained much to you."

"Yes, he has."

"Then there's no need for me to say more. How about accompanying me for a walk to clear my mind?" Baili Xi suggested, his tone light.

"With pleasure," Yun Yunyang replied with a smile, joining Baili Xi as they stepped out of the Wanlong Hall, drawing the attention of many inside.

"Going forward, I'll need you and your family to look after Xue'er for me," Baili Xi said, gazing up at the moonlit sky as the mountain wind rustled around them.

"The palace is too full of intrigue and strife. I don't want her to live in such a toxic environment every day. It would only harm her cultivation and her heart."

"Your Majesty's love for your daughter is truly admirable," Yun Yunyang said sincerely.

"Love for my daughter? You flatter me, but the truth is, I love only Xue'er among all my children.

Among my sons and daughters, she is the one who resembles me most in temperament and heart."

"Master Li mentioned as much—that Your Majesty's situation in the palace is far from easy," Yun Yunyang said.

"Far from easy? That's putting it mildly. The three great families and the seven allied clans harbor ambitions like wolves and tigers, while my palace is riddled with their spies.

Even among the court's cultivator retainers, few are truly loyal to me.

My children are divided into factions, scheming against one another for power.

And my consorts... they too constantly plot against each other.

For years, I've had to guard Yue Country against neighboring nations while also managing the internal threats of the palace and defending against the three families and seven clans.

It's exhausting—utterly exhausting," Baili Xi confessed, his tone weary and far removed from the commanding authority of an emperor. At that moment, he spoke not as a ruler but as a man sharing his burdens with a confidant.

"Do you know why I value your Yuncang Yun Clan so highly?"

"Master Li has already shared your reasons with me," Yun Yunyang replied.

"Haha! I truly envy the harmony within your Yun family. It's not just me—Xue'er loves it too.

That's why, when I arranged the marriage between her and your family, she raised no objections."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, the Yun family will always serve as a steadfast ally to the royal family. The Seventh Princess will be cared for and cherished in our household—we will never let her suffer."

"Haha! Those words put my heart at ease," Baili Xi said, his laughter light but tinged with relief.

"Your Majesty, if I may ask one question?"

"Speak. If I can answer, I will."

Yun Yunyang hesitated before finally voicing his query. "Why did the royal family choose to support the three families and seven clans in the first place, only for them to grow into such a threat?"

"Ah, so that's your question. It was a decision made by my predecessors," Baili Xi began, his tone somber.

"At that time, the royal family of Yue Country was weak, and the court's strength was lacking. We were frequently oppressed by neighboring nations, especially Wu Country.

Internally, we also faced invasions from demon beasts, malevolent spirits, and the schemes of heretical sects, such as the Cult of the Gu God.

With external threats and internal turmoil, my predecessors were overwhelmed.

To suppress the rampant evils within our borders, they decided to cultivate a number of cultivation families, supporting them to grow stronger so they could serve as extensions of the royal family's power.

These families helped to clear out the demons and heretics, stabilizing Yue Country's internal affairs.

However, as these families grew stronger year by year, they eventually formed what we now call the three families and seven clans.

And as their power grew, so did their ambitions. Now, they openly harbor designs on the throne.

In the end, it was the royal family's impatience to resolve immediate crises that created this mess, leaving our dynasty in peril," Baili Xi said, his expression growing increasingly bitter.

"For years, I've struggled just to maintain the current balance.

Were it not for my ancestor still being alive, the three families and seven clans would have long since risen in open rebellion.

But now, even my ancestor..."

"What about them?" Yun Yunyang asked curiously, then immediately realized his mistake. Lowering his head, he quickly apologized. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. That was presumptuous of me."

"No need to apologize," Baili Xi said with a faint smile. "Your Yun family is now bound to the royal family through marriage. In the future, I will rely on your support.

Some matters should not be kept from you."

He waved dismissively, showing no sign of offense.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gracious trust!"

Hearing Baili Xi's words, Yun Yunyang felt deeply moved.

It was clear the Emperor genuinely held no reservations about the Yun family.

Perhaps it was born from desperation, a flicker of hope in the seemingly unassailable walls closing in on him.

If the Emperor had harbored any suspicion, it would have disheartened the Yun family to its core.

"My ancestor's life is nearing its end. Once he passes, the three families and seven clans will undoubtedly seize the opportunity to rebel. Chaos will engulf Yue Country.

If our nation falls into turmoil, neighboring countries will strike. Internally, the demons and malevolent forces will return with a vengeance.

The nation will crumble, families will be torn apart, and the common people will be left homeless, the land strewn with corpses—an infernal nightmare."

The Emperor sighed deeply, his gaze distant.

"Over the years, I've scoured the land for pills and medicines to extend my ancestor's life, but none have worked.

I had to seek another path—until your Yun family appeared, and Master Li spoke to me of your potential.

In your family, I saw a glimmer of hope to save this endangered dynasty," Baili Xi said, a faint smile breaking through his somber expression.

"Because of that senior in our family?" Yun Yunyang asked.

"Exactly. Master Li told me about that senior," the Emperor replied with a knowing laugh.

"With that senior supporting your Yun family, and with the royal family's backing, your clan can rise swiftly to rival the three families and seven clans.

Together, we can suppress their ambitions and restore stability."

"I never imagined Your Majesty carried such heavy burdens for the people of Yue Country. You have my utmost admiration," Yun Yunyang said sincerely.

"Enough flattery!" Baili Xi waved dismissively.

"Come, let me take you to another place where we can sit, drink, and talk like friends.

Honestly, I still cherish the memory of drinking freely at your Yun family's estate. It was one of the few times I truly felt joy."

"Haha! It would be my pleasure to accompany Your Majesty," Yun Yunyang replied with a hearty laugh.

He understood now that beneath the imperial facade, Baili Xi was just a man, weighed down by his struggles and longing for moments of freedom and relaxation.

Watching his uncle and the Emperor converse like old friends, Yun Yanshui couldn't help but smile.

It was clear—his Yun family was on the brink of a great rise.

As he prepared to follow them for a round of drinking and companionship, he suddenly felt a warmth through his spiritual link with Yun Yantian.

"The Hundred Battles Spear Technique?"

He murmured under his breath, his gaze instinctively drawn toward the depths of Wanlong Mountain.

"Looks like Brother Yantian has gained another fortune—and his cultivation seems to have reached the peak of the ninth layer of the Embryo Breath realm!"

Within the Golden Light Realm

"Do you remember it all?" the spear master asked with a faint smile.

"Junior has committed it all to memory," Yun Yantian said, bowing deeply.

"Then my spear techniques have found a worthy successor."

The spear master's voice grew softer. "This fragment of my divine soul still holds some spiritual energy. I will use it to help elevate your cultivation.

How much of this spear technique you can master will depend on your own efforts."

The spear master's figure began to dissipate, his voice trailing off.

"Senior, will you not linger in this world a while longer to see its beauty again?" Yun Yantian asked hesitantly.

"I am weary," the master replied, his tone carrying the weight of countless years.

"I spent centuries cultivating, striving for immortality. But in the end, my loved ones, my friends—all of them left me one by one.

Having lost hope for eternal life and any desire to ascend further, I have no attachment to this world.

The only reason I left behind this fragment of my soul was my unwillingness to let the Hundred Battles Spear Technique vanish into obscurity.

Now that it has a successor, I have no regrets. It is time for me to reunite with my long-lost loved ones.

You, however, will carry on for me. Explore this world, ascend to greater heights, and witness the light beyond the mountains on my behalf."

With those parting words, the spear master's figure dissolved into countless specks of light, merging into Yun Yantian's body.

The last remnant of his soul was gone, leaving no name, no trace—like a shadow that had never walked this world.

Yun Yantian stood alone in the golden light, overcome with awe and gratitude.

Outside the Ancient Temple

A young man in brocade robes, his features sharp and handsome, with a faintly ominous aura, appeared silently, gripping a long spear.

The dormant spirits within the temple stirred, rushing toward him with howls of rage.

The young man swept his spear effortlessly, and the hundreds of spirits disintegrated into ash in an instant.