"Elder Brother Yin Huan, your grand arrival to the Shang Family is quite the surprise. Why didn't you notify in advance so I could prepare a welcoming?"
As the Family Head of the Shang Family, Shang Yan was probably sowhere between seventy and eighty years old, yet in facing a young man of around twenty, he addressed him as a brother, which clearly indicates the prestigious identity of this person.
The young man referred to as Yin Huan wore a dark green robe, neither too fat nor too thin. Based solely on appearance, he was quite handso, except his lips had a slight blue-ish tint and his eyelids bore a thin layer of black sheen, giving him a sowhat bizarre look.
The reason why Shang Yan, the Family Head of the Shang Family, was so courteous to Yin Huan was that he knew the young man in front of him ca from the Jade Pot Sect and was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Poison Vein faction within the sect—a man who should not be easily offended.
The Jade Pot Sect is one of the most powerful sects within the Xuanyue Empire, producing many ridian Refining Masters. This prestigious profession commands respect from cultivators of the empire, making them wary of offending anyone associated with the Jade Pot Sect.
Despite the esteed status of ridian Refining Masters, as the years passed on the Nine Dragons Continent, the profession evolved into two schools: the dical Pulse Masters, who primarily focus on healing and saving lives, and the Poison Vein Masters, who are skilled in using poison to kill.
Relative to dical Pulse Masters being more revered, so formidable Poison Vein Masters instill fear, making others dread and careful not to provoke them, like Yin Huan here, who is a Mortal Rank Middle Level Poison Vein Master.
So even though both Yin Huan's and Shang Yan's ridian Qi strength were just beginning to enter the ridian Rushing Realm, Shang Yan really didn't dare to offend this genius from the Poison Vein faction of the Jade Pot Sect. Instead, he was trying his best to curry favor.
Shang Yan, swallowing his pride, said these words, greatly satisfying Yin Huan's ego. He chuckled and replied, "Family Head Shang Yan, my visit to the Shang Family is indeed for your benefit, or rather, to bring an extraordinary piece of good news to your family!"
"Oh? I implore Elder Brother Yin Huan to enlighten !" Hearing these words, Shang Yan's aged eyes suddenly brightened. The Shang Family elites present all turned their heads, eager to know what this "extraordinary piece of good news" might be.
Yin Huan smiled slightly, evidently enjoying the attention, and after a short pause, he said, "Due to the Shang Family's years of tribute to our Jade Pot Sect, the elders have decided to grant your family an extra spot in this year's quota for Outer Disciples!"
"Elder Brother Yin... Yin Huan, are you serious about this?"
Upon hearing Yin Huan's declaration, even the composed Shang Yan couldn't help but react with ecstatic joy, seemingly in disbelief, as he stood up and asked with a trembling voice.
Following Shang Yan's shaky voice, a middle-aged man in the foremost seat beca even more excited and turned his head, asking, "Second Brother, has Huiyu been found yet by his elder brother? Why hasn't he returned?"
This man was Shang Huiyu's direct grandfather, Shang Ying, and a senior mber of the Shang Family's main branch, the man set to take over as the head of the family wielded real power. Even so, he too was sowhat rattled at the mont.
To Shang Ying, only his exceptionally brilliant grandson was qualified for the Jade Pot Sect's Outer Disciple spot. If this opportunity didn't go to his own grandson, that would be inexplicable.
However, what Shang Ying failed to notice was that a glint of secretive knowledge flashed through the eyes of his second brother following his words—how could he not understand Shang Ying's implications?
"Hmph, why should the spot from the Jade Pot Sect belong to Shang Huiyu?"
The head of the second branch of the Shang Family could not hide his discontent, nevertheless not daring to show it openly, rely spreading his hands as if he knew nothing.
In fact, Shang Ying had forgotten that Shang Yan had sent Shang Huifeng not to find his treasured grandson, Shang Huiyu, but Yun Xiao, the grandson from the secluded third branch who rarely interacted with the family.
As if sensing the excitent among the Shang Family mbers, Yin Huan once again smiled faintly and continued, "Family Head Shang Yan, even the quota for a Jade Pot Sect Outer Disciple must be taken seriously, awarded only to the most talented youngsters in your family!"
The implication in Yin Huan's words was that the quota couldn't just be handed to anyone they chose; it had to be earned based on genuine rit. If they ended up presenting the Jade Pot Sect with an incompetent cultivator, wouldn't that also tarnish his reputation?
"That's right, that's right!"
By now, Shang Yan had regained his composure, agreeing repeatedly with Yin Huan, until his eyes caught a figure flashing at the entrance. He imdiately beca joyful and said, "Co, co, Elder Brother Yin Huan, let introduce you. This is the most promising young mber of the Shang Family, his na is Shang Huiyu!"
As it turned out, the person who hurried in from the entrance was none other than Shang Huiyu, the eldest grandson of the main branch of the Shang Family. He had anticipated that the visitor from the Jade Pot Sect might be related to the recruitnt of Outer Disciples. So, not bothering with Yun Xiao, he hurried over, and just as he walked into the hall, he heard the Family Head ntioning him and quickened his steps.
"Oh? Shang Huiyu?"
Upon hearing Shang Yan's introduction, Yin Huan shifted his gaze, and upon looking, he nodded slightly and said, "Channel Introduction Realm Middle Stage in cultivation, that's quite good!"
Indeed, although Yin Huan was not much older than Shang Huiyu, he was an authentic ridian Rushing Realm powerhouse, on par with Shang Yan. Shang Huiyu's cultivation would only barely catch his eye.
"Huixu, co here and et your Senior Brother Yin Huan!" It must be said that Shang Yan truly had thick skin; before Shang Huiyu had even set foot in the Jade Pot Sect, he already asked him to address Yin Huan as "Senior Brother." Was he trying to create a fait accompli?
Upon hearing this, Shang Ying on the lower end naturally bead with joy, while the eldest son of the second branch's face turned sowhat gloomy. He had wanted his grandson Shang Huifeng to compete for the spot, but now that Shang Yan had set his sights on Shang Huiyu, he had no choice but to swallow his pride.
However, just as Shang Huiyu was about to step forward in pleasant surprise and prepare to bow in greeting, Yin Huan waved his hand and said, "How the Shang Family selects this spot is none of my concern, but it must be soone with the best talent. Family Head Shang Yan, the reason for my visit is actually another matter!"
After his words, Yin Huan shifted his gaze, his eyebrows knitting slightly, and said, "That Yun Xiao I asked you to find, why hasn't he co yet?"
As these words were spoken, Shang Yan's expression unavoidably beca sowhat embarrassed. At this point, he couldn't very well say it was because he disliked Shang Li and her son, placing them in an extrely remote courtyard, now could he?
Thus, Shang Yan could only feel anxious inwardly while procrastinating with his words, "I am truly sorry to keep Junior Brother Yin Huan waiting. May I ask, what is the matter with you seeking Yun Xiao?"
To tell the truth, Shang Yan wasn't quite sure of Yin Huan's intentions; after all, Yun Xiao had been staying in the Shang Family for over a decade, rarely even stepping outside the family's main gate, so he should have no connection with the Jade Pot Sect.
Yin Huan did not beat around the bush and replied, "Family Head Shang Yan, there's no need to imply, the reason I'm here seeking Yun Xiao has nothing to do with our Jade Pot Sect!"
Hearing this, Shang Yan breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Yin Huan ask again, "Has Family Head Shang Yan ever heard of the Lingyun Sect from the Lingtian Empire?"
"Lingtian Empire? Lingyun Sect?"
Suddenly hearing these two nas from Yin Huan, Shang Yan was first taken aback, then his complexion changed as he suddenly rembered sothing, exclaiming, "Could it be for..."
"Correct, another reason for my visit to the Shang Family is on behalf of soone else, regarding the betrothal between your Shang Family and the Lingyun Sect!" A peculiar gleam shone in Yin Huan's eyes, looking sowhat odd.
Yin Huan's words left no doubt in the minds of many Shang Family powerhouses, including Shang Yan. They had so understanding of this matter, but it was not very clear until today when Yin Huan brought it to the surface.
Back then, Shang Li's father was a person of exceptional talent, his cultivation talent far surpassing even both his brothers, Shang Ying, and was greatly favored by Shang Yan.
At that ti, Shang Li's father, fond of traveling the continent, encountered the previous Sect Master of the Lingyun Sect during a visit to the Lingtian Empire. The two hit it off over a fight, eventually becoming sworn brothers.
By that ti, Shang Li had already grown up, and that Sect Master of Lingyun Sect happened to have a son, seeking to unite the two families through marriage, strengthening their bonds further.
Regrettably, the son of the Lingyun Sect Master already had his heart set elsewhere, and thus the matter ca to nothing. Shang Li's father could only settle for the next best thing, agreeing with the Lingyun Sect Master that if Shang Li had offspring, she would be betrothed to the grandson of the Sect Master, sealing the pact with a vow.
Even a prophecy of "Li Feng suppressing the evil masses, sheathing his sword and smiling upon Hongzhuang" arose from this, naming Yun Xiao and the daughter of Lingyun Sect respectively after "smile" and "Hongzhuang."
Regrettably, Shang Li's father passed away early, and this good story was no longer ntioned thereafter. The Lingyun Sect never contacted the Shang Family, so the people of the Shang Family gradually forgot about this engagent.
The overall strength of the Lingtian Empire was not inferior to that of the Xuanyue Empire, and the status of Lingyun Sect within the Lingtian Empire was sowhat similar to that of the Jade Pot Sect within the Xuanyue Empire—both colossal beings.
Considering a certain possibility, Shang Yan's complexion nearly changed; could it be that Lingyun Sect suddenly rembered this marriage arrangent and intended to use the Jade Pot Sect as a diator to propose marriage to the Shang Family?
Shang Yan was well aware of how the Shang Family treated the widow and orphan after the death of Shang Li's father these past years. If Yun Xiao were to truly marry into Lingyun Sect, it would be like a salted fish turning over, and for the Shang Family, whether it was good or bad, was indeed uncertain.
Yin Huan's thoughts were gloomy, and he perceived Shang Yan's internal struggle at a glance. With a slight smile, he said, "Family Head Shang Yan, it's true I am here on soone's behalf, but not to propose marriage, rather... to dissolve one!"
Upon hearing this, everyone from the tensed Shang Family let out a huge sigh of relief, thinking to themselves that this was the expected script indeed. What right had this illegitimate child, whose father was unknown, to cling to the high branches of Lingyun Sect?
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