The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"This time's Wanlong Mountain Trial… Qingshan, your Wang Liyuan performed quite admirably!"

In the rear mountain of Wanlong Mountain, a group of ten elders from the three major families and seven clans, including Bai Li Qingsun and Wang Qingshan, were gathered in a pavilion.

After hearing about the details of the trial, Bai Li Qingsun deliberately brought up the topic.

"Senior Bai Li, you jest. How could that boy of mine be worthy of such attention?"

Wang Qingshan clasped his hands and smiled.

His words, though polite, carried a deliberate air of humility while subtly deflecting Bai Li Qingsun's remarks. He clearly intended to avoid drawing the other elders' attention to the Yulin Wang clan. Over the years, the Yulin Wang clan had already endured enough covert suppression from the three major families. The last thing Wang Qingshan wanted was to invite the covetous eyes of the other six clans as well.

"How could he not be worthy of attention? That Wang Liyuan of yours is rather capable, isn't he? To think he even managed to kill a prodigy of my Lin family."

An elder in a dark crimson robe, his white eyebrows furrowed tightly, cast a cold glance at Wang Qingshan.

His family's scattered cultivators had just reported to him in private. During this trial, all the disciples of the Lin family had perished within Wanlong Mountain.

While the deaths of those disciples were inconsequential to the current strength of the Wangyue Lin clan, the loss of Lin Tiansheng—a genius who had comprehended sword intent—was a significant blow to their younger generation.

A prodigy who had mastered the profound sword intent!

Had his journey proceeded smoothly, he might have achieved great heights in the future. But now, he had died in Wanlong Mountain, slain by none other than that brat, Wang Liyuan.

"Brother Lin, if your family's prodigy hadn't insisted on teaming up with the other two clans to target my Liyuan, this wouldn't have happened," Wang Qingshan replied with a faint smile.

His words were both a deliberate provocation aimed at sowing discord among the three major families and an expression of his dissatisfaction with the Wangyue Lin clan.

"Wang Qingshan, there's no need for your petty provocations. Many of my Canglan Ye clan's disciples perished at the hands of your Wang Liyuan. Now, only two managed to return alive."

"The same is true for my Chuanyin Lu clan."

The elders of the Ye and Lu clans, seasoned veterans who had weathered countless schemes, saw through Wang Qingshan's intentions and responded coldly.

Their stance made it clear: the three major families would not let the Yulin Wang clan off easily. The debt of this trial would be settled eventually—if not now, then in the future.

"Brothers Ye and Lu, how unreasonable can you be? Do you think only your clans lost people in the trial? My Wang family lost members too!"

Wang Qingshan's eyes narrowed, his tone turning cold.

Wang Lizhu had died, and many other Wang disciples who entered the mountain had perished as well. Wang Liyuan himself had barely survived the combined assault of the three major families' prodigies. Yet here were the Ye and Lu clans, not only failing to show restraint but even trying to pin blame on the Wang family!

"Wang Qingshan, ever since you entered the Foundation Establishment stage, your demeanor has changed significantly.

What now? Do you think that with your newly acquired abilities, you can take on the three of us at once?"

The Lu clan elder, known for his fiery temper, scowled darkly at Wang Qingshan's words, his posture hinting at a readiness for combat.

"Everyone, calm down! Let's not forget that Senior Bai Li is present! If you start fighting here, wouldn't that be a show of great disrespect to him?"

The elder of the Tongshan Xia clan, leaning on a dragon-headed cane, spoke up.

She had noticed how Bai Li Qingsun's casual remarks had successfully fanned the flames between the three major families and Wang Qingshan, bringing them to the brink of conflict. Seeing that the situation was escalating dangerously, she quickly stepped in to mediate.

Her words carried an implicit reminder of Bai Li Qingsun's presence, urging everyone to focus on the real threat at hand. Despite the deep-seated grudges and rivalries among the three major families and seven clans, it was unwise to fall into Bai Li Qingsun's trap by squabbling amongst themselves.

"Exactly. If you want to fight, take it elsewhere. Don't disturb Senior Bai Li's tea-tasting experience."

The elder of the Rizhao Lou clan chimed in with a dry, sarcastic smile.

He would gladly watch the three major families clash with Wang Qingshan, but he understood that their primary concern should remain on Bai Li Qingsun. His invitation to this gathering was undoubtedly calculated. Starting an internal conflict now would only play into his hands.

Thanks to the intervention of the Xia and Lou clan elders, the other elders soon joined in to mediate, and the rising tension in the pavilion gradually subsided.

The mention of Bai Li Qingsun snapped the elders of the three major families and Wang Qingshan back to their senses, leaving them secretly wiping cold sweat from their foreheads.

That was close!

They had been so consumed by their grudges against each other that they almost forgot the presence of this cunning old man.

At the head of the pavilion, Bai Li Qingsun continued sipping his tea in silence, his sharp gaze occasionally flickering coldly over the Xia clan and Lou clan elders.

"Well, well. You all belong to the immortal cultivation families under our royal family's domain. Over the years, it has been thanks to the unwavering support of your three families and seven clans that our royal family has been able to subdue neighboring nations and fend off the rampant invasions of demonic entities within our borders.

If you let these internal disputes escalate, it could damage your family legacies and harm the fortunes of our royal family. Such things are not what I wish to see. So, stop your bickering.

This trial was nothing more than a competition among the younger generation, a contest for immortal opportunities. On the path of cultivation, death is inevitable. Why quarrel over such trivial matters?

Even our royal family lost several princes and princesses within the mountain. It's all destiny—unchangeable."

"Senior Bai Li speaks wisely," Wang Qingshan and the others replied in unison, their tones perfectly cooperative on the surface.

"Good. Now sit down and enjoy your tea. Next is the competition among the clans' spiritual roots. We old folks can watch carefully to see which clan's spiritual roots shine the brightest in this contest. It will be a sight worthy of admiration!"

After his brief yet pointed "advice" to the elders, Bai Li Qingsun smiled warmly, his gaze shifting to the arena below.

By now, the surviving spiritual roots of each clan who had endured the trials of Wanlong Mountain had gathered at the platform. The upcoming duels were about to commence!

I hope the Yun Cang Yun clan's spiritual roots won't disappoint me, Bai Li Qingsun thought.

If they perform well, I can face death without regret.

His gaze lingered on the two spiritual roots of the Yun Cang Yun clan—Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang—who stood among the other competitors.

Before his death, Bai Li Qingsun wanted to witness whether the two spiritual roots of the Yun Cang Yun clan could surpass the younger generations of all the other clans. If they succeeded, their support could ensure the royal family's stability and peace in the future.

As for how far his Bai Li family's royal lineage could go in the years to come, that would depend on fate and fortune.

In front of the Wanlong Palace, a massive arena had already been set up. Around it, the spiritual roots of the various clans, along with their respective cultivators, had gathered.

Crown Prince Bai Li Xi led a procession of concubines, princes, princesses, and civil and military officials to the grand platform prepared for the royal family, accompanied by a retinue of eunuchs and palace maids. They waited in anticipation for the duels to begin.

Like his ancestor, Bai Li Xi also had high hopes for the two spiritual roots of the Yun Cang Yun clan.

He hoped Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian would emerge victorious, bringing glory to their clan.

It would also reveal the future fortune of the Yun Cang Yun clan. If they prove themselves worthy, the effort I've spent fostering ties with them—including forming marital alliances—will not have been in vain, he thought.

From the guest seats, Yun Yanshui surveyed the crowd of spiritual roots who had survived the three-day trial for immortal opportunities within Wanlong Mountain. Roughly half of them were missing.

Notably, the spiritual roots of the three major families had suffered the most. The Canglan Ye clan was down to only two, the Chuanyin Lu clan had just Lu Shanglin left, and as for the Wangyue Lin clan, none of their spiritual roots appeared to have survived.

"I heard that the spiritual roots of the three major families joined forces in Wanlong Mountain to target Wang Liyuan and his Wang clan disciples. A bloody battle ensued," Yun Yantian remarked.

"As a result, only two spiritual roots remain from the Ye clan, just Lu Shanglin from the Lu clan, and the Lin clan's disciples—led by Lin Tiansheng—have all perished," he continued.

"Lin Tiansheng? Brother Yantian, wasn't he the one who had comprehended sword intent? Even he died?" Yun Yanshuang asked, astonished.

"It seems Wang Liyuan's sword intent surpassed Lin Tiansheng's."

"Who would've thought that Wang Liyuan was this formidable? Even the combined efforts of the three major families' spiritual roots couldn't take him down!" Yun Yanshui murmured to herself.

"They say Wang Liyuan obtained some sort of immortal opportunity in the mountain, which allowed him to withstand Lin Tiansheng's strongest attack before his death. While he survived, he sustained grave injuries and won't be able to participate in the upcoming duels."

"Wang Liyuan's fortune truly is extraordinary!" Yun Yanshui sighed, marveling at the news.

I wonder what kind of immortal opportunity Wang Liyuan obtained this time? I'll find a chance to take it from him—and kill him in the process. His fortune is too strong. I cannot give him the chance to grow further.