The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Brother Yantian, that was amazing!"

Seeing Yun Yantian return, Yun Yanshui couldn't help but give him a thumbs up.

"Haha! It was nothing special," Yun Yantian replied modestly.

"Brother Yantian, was that spear technique you used earlier part of the inheritance from the spear-wielding senior in the ancient temple?"

Yun Yanshuang asked curiously.

The Hundred Battles Spear Art that Yun Yantian had displayed earlier had left her awestruck. She couldn't help but wonder if the force behind that strike rivaled the full power of a cultivator in the Qi Refinement stage.

"Indeed, it was," Yun Yantian said with a nod and a smile.

"This time, all eyes—whether from the spiritual roots or the elders of the clans—are fixed on you and our Yun Cang Yun clan," Yun Yunyang said from the side with a sigh, his tone tinged with bitterness.

He understood that while Yun Yantian's victory had earned the Yun Cang Yun clan fame and prestige, it also meant that they had drawn the attention of countless cultivation families.

The aftermath would inevitably bring hidden schemes and targeted actions against them. The path forward for their family was bound to become increasingly perilous.

"As long as Shuang'er and I cultivate diligently, and as Wenxuan, Wenyu, Wenrun, and Wenlong grow stronger, we'll eventually be able to protect the Yun clan.

Those who dare plot against us in the shadows will think twice before making any move.

Moreover, His Majesty and the royal family need the Yun Cang Yun clan. They won't stand idly by and allow others to target us without reason.

And don't forget, Master is still watching over us," Yun Yantian said, attempting to ease his uncle's concerns.

"What you say is true. No family's growth comes without challenges. Facing obstacles on the road ahead is inevitable," Yun Yunyang said, nodding in agreement. His nephew's words had lifted a burden from his heart.

If the Yun Cang Yun clan could not avoid these struggles, then they would face them head-on.

The inevitable conflicts with other clans were simply arriving earlier than expected.

As the uncle and nephew exchanged words, the duels on the platform continued, one match after another.

"It's my turn!"

Holding her number nine lot, Yun Yanshuang stood up with a smile. Like a swallow, she flitted gracefully onto the platform.

"Another spiritual root from the Yun Cang Yun clan? That young woman must be Yun Yanshuang, their strongest spiritual root!"

"Indeed."

"I've heard Yun Yanshuang is exceptionally gifted in swordsmanship, having comprehended sword intent. She even defeated Wang Lijiao of the Wang family with ease in the Yun clan's marketplace."

"Is that true? Wang Lijiao wasn't exactly weak."

"It's true."

"Incredible. The Yun Cang Yun clan now has two spiritual roots with such terrifying talent and strength."

"This time, though, her opponent is Wen Ruli of the Qishan Wen clan. His cultivation is at the Eighth Stage of Embryo Breath, and he's known for his mastery of blade techniques. The Wen clan's Overlord Blade is famously ferocious!"

"I wonder who will win?"

"It should be the Wen clan. While the Yun clan is a rising star and developing rapidly, they lack the foundation of an established power like the Qishan Wen clan, which is one of the Seven Clans."

"Well, let's watch and see."

"I, Wen Ruli, do not bully women. I'll let you strike three times first. If you can injure me, I'll concede this duel," Wen Ruli declared, gripping his spiritual blade tightly as he gazed at Yun Yanshuang with disdain.

He had never heard of the Yun Cang Yun clan and didn't know how powerful this so-called strongest spiritual root might be.

But frankly, he didn't care.

The Yun clan was just a newly ascended family, far inferior to the Wen clan. The idea that they could challenge him was laughable.

Even though Yun Yantian had displayed formidable talent and strength earlier, Wen Ruli didn't find him particularly impressive. Compared to his own siblings and cousins, Yun Yantian was still lacking.

Did the Yun clan think they could rise rapidly with just two spiritual roots and the royal family's support, hoping to challenge the established powers of the Seven Clans?

Ridiculous!

"In that case, I hope you'll be careful!"

Though Wen Ruli's tone was condescending, Yun Yanshuang remained calm. Unsheathing her Azure Frost Sword, she released her sword intent.

A powerful surge of sword energy swept across the platform like a biting wind, chilling the air.

With one swing of her sword, a pale crescent of sword energy, several meters long, shot toward Wen Ruli with lethal precision.

The sword energy tore through the air with razor-sharp precision, its speed so overwhelming that Wen Ruli's expression darkened. He attempted to evade, but it was already too late.

The blade struck him directly, sending him flying off his feet.

His chest armor tore apart, and if not for the protective spiritual soft armor beneath his robes, he would have suffered grievous injuries.

Climbing to his feet in disarray, Wen Ruli looked down at his torn garment. His face contorted with fury and embarrassment.

He had underestimated her!

This Yun Yanshuang, it seemed, was at the peak of the Eighth Stage of Embryo Breath. The sword intent embedded in that strike was so powerful that even a cultivator at the Ninth Stage would struggle to withstand or avoid it.

"Well fought!"

Having struck Wen Ruli down with a single blow, Yun Yanshuang sheathed her sword and turned to leave the platform.

"Stop right there! The fight isn't over yet!"

"Didn't you say earlier that if I injured you within three moves, you'd admit defeat?" Yun Yanshuang asked, glancing back at Wen Ruli.

"You merely knocked me down; I'm not injured," Wen Ruli spat, his face ashen with humiliation.

How could he, Wen Ruli, a spiritual root of the prestigious Qishan Wen clan, lose so easily to a mere spiritual root from the obscure Yun Cang Yun clan?

With so many eyes watching, admitting defeat would be utterly disgraceful.

"Ruli, stand down."

From the Wen clan's section, an elder spoke sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"But, Third Uncle…"

"You are no match for her. That strike just now—she held back. Don't delude yourself into thinking your spiritual armor can withstand her sword intent," the elder said sternly.

Wen Ruli hesitated and glanced down at his armor. To his horror, he noticed a crack forming on the surface of the spiritual soft armor. The crack was slowly spreading.

Impossible!

How could this be?

This armor was designed to withstand the full-strength attack of a peak Ninth Stage cultivator. Yet, it had been compromised by a single, casual strike from Yun Yanshuang.

"She held back?" he muttered in disbelief. "Damn it! How could I lose to a woman? And one from a small, insignificant family!"

Overwhelmed by rage, Wen Ruli abandoned his earlier declaration of conceding after three moves.

Spiritual energy surged within him as he unleashed a ferocious slash with his blade.

The domineering blade energy roared like a thunderclap, bearing down on Yun Yanshuang with the force of a raging storm. Wen Ruli was determined to defeat her and reclaim his dignity.

The blade energy streaked through the air and struck where Yun Yanshuang stood—only to hit a fading afterimage.

By the time Wen Ruli extended his spiritual sense to locate her real position, a cold blade was pressed against his neck.

Behind him, Yun Yanshuang's calm but chilling voice rang out: "Will you concede now?"

Wen Ruli froze. With her sword at his throat, he dared not move a muscle. His face turned alternating shades of red and white.

He had lost.

To a spiritual root from the Yun Cang Yun clan.

"I… I concede," he muttered through gritted teeth, valuing his life over his pride.

Yun Yanshuang withdrew her sword and left the platform with the same grace with which she had arrived, returning to sit beside her brother.

"The Yun clan's younger generation is truly exceptional!"

"Indeed! For such a small and newly established cultivation family to produce two spiritual roots of such caliber in just a few years is astounding.

They've now defeated spiritual roots from the Seven Clans with ease, back to back. Unbelievable!"

The arena buzzed with admiration and chatter.

First Yun Yantian, and now Yun Yanshuang.

The siblings' extraordinary performances had left an indelible impression on everyone present, firmly etching the Yun Cang Yun clan's name into the minds of the spectators.

It was clear to all that if the Yun clan's rise continued unchecked, they were destined to become a major power.

"Haha! Magnificent! Truly magnificent! Who would have thought that Lady Yanshuang had comprehended sword intent!"

On the Dragon Throne, Bai Li Xi laughed heartily, praising Yun Yanshuang's performance once again.

Meanwhile, the expression on the Eastern Palace Empress's face grew increasingly grim.

Conflicted emotions churned within her as she wrestled with her thoughts.

*The stronger the younger generation of the Yun Cang Yun clan becomes, the higher their future potential. With His Majesty favoring them and secretly supporting their rise, they're bound to become a major cultivation family one day.

If Xue'er marries into the Yun clan, she won't suffer. This family's ascension is only a matter of time.*

*No! What does their potential matter? The ancestor has already decided that Xue'er will marry into the Yulin Wang clan. Compared to the Yun clan, the Wang clan is far superior.

Even if the Yun clan shows promise, they're still unworthy of marrying my daughter.

Besides, Yun Yantian will eventually be eliminated by the ancestor. The Yun clan's rise is doomed to fail.

For Xue'er's future and the sake of our family, she cannot marry into the Yun clan!*