Even among those who have condensed nine scorching sun seeds, there are varying levels of talent.
Condensing nine scorching sun seeds at the age of four hundred is not the same as doing it at four hundred fifty or four hundred eighty.
Those two youngsters from the Dongyang Family and the Yu Family both ranked fairly high among nine-seed talents; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been included as candidates for Marquis Qingfen’s prospective disciples.
“I heard that genius from the Yu Family was secretly crippled by the Dongyang Family?” the short figure on the right said in a low voice. He had learned of this from the Wei Chi Family.
Although the Wei Chi Family had declined, it was still a first-tier family and retained its influence.
“Hmph, this intrigue among second-tier families is indeed amusing,” the short figure on the left said with a light laugh.
“But I suppose it’s one way to get things done.”
“His Lordship only cares about the result. If that youngster from the Yu Family really was crippled, it means he wasn’t qualified to become His Lordship’s disciple,” said the tall figure in the middle, his tone indifferent.
Among the three, his strength was clearly the greatest, carrying a faint air of dominance.
“Let’s go in.”
The tall figure in the middle spoke.
They headed straight into the Dongyang Family.
“The Dongyang Family greets the three Qing Envoys.”
The Ji Dao realm ancestor of the Dongyang Family bent slightly, and all the high-level members of the family bowed respectfully toward the three newcomers.
“Bring the person here.”
The tall figure in the middle said plainly.
There were at least several thousand families like the Dongyang Family across the Qingfen Domain, and he didn’t have time to waste here.
“Yes.”
The Dongyang ancestor nodded at once.
Soon, Dongyang Meng walked in.
“So you’re the little one.” The tall figure sized up Dongyang Meng briefly. He did nothing himself.
Instead, the short figure on the left took out a crimson mirror with the image of a scorching sun carved onto its surface, as if it were burning fiercely.
With a small effort, the short figure activated the crimson mirror and aimed it at Dongyang Meng. Instantly, ripples appeared across its surface.
One tiny scorching sun appeared, then a second, then a third.
Ten miniature suns hovered calmly on the mirror’s surface.
“Ten scorching sun seeds?”
The short figure’s face revealed surprise, and he looked at the tall figure.
“Not bad, not bad.”
The tall figure was also briefly taken aback before nodding in approval.
Joining Marquis Qingfen with ten scorching sun seeds meant that in time, her status would not be lower than theirs. She would be a major figure of high rank within the Qingfen Domain.
Several of the old ancestors of the Dongyang Family, seeing this, finally relaxed inwardly.
Hearing the Qing Envoy’s statement, they were certain now that Dongyang Meng had indeed condensed ten scorching sun seeds.
“Well done, Dongyang Family. You’ve raised a ten-seed genius.” The tall figure finally turned to address the Dongyang Family ancestor.
Finding a genius with ten scorching sun seeds was also an achievement for these traveling Qing Envoys of the Qingfen Domain, as they would receive extra rewards from Marquis Qingfen.
“It’s all thanks to Meng’er’s own efforts,” the family ancestor said softly.
“Prepare yourself now. Soon, I’ll take you to see His Lordship.” The tall figure regarded Dongyang Meng with a kindly tone.
“All right,” Dongyang Meng said with a nod, feeling a bit elated inside.
Even a lofty Qing Envoy was speaking to her so pleasantly.
“Honored Qing Envoy, our Dongyang Family once dealt with the Yu Family…” the old ancestor ventured cautiously.
Through the Wei Chi Family, the Yu Family had publicized how the Dongyang Family had ambushed Yu Yan. This made the old ancestor somewhat uneasy.
“No matter.”
The tall figure waved his hand.
Even if Dongyang Meng hadn’t been a ten-seed genius, he wouldn’t have pursued the matter.
Survival of the fittest—if the Dongyang Family had managed to ruin Yu Yan, then Yu Yan’s fate was sealed.
“Thank you, Honored Envoy,” the Dongyang Family’s old ancestor said, breathing a slight sigh of relief.
In truth, once they confirmed Dongyang Meng had formed her tenth seed, they were no longer worried about this matter. After all, the difference between nine and ten seeds was obvious.
Now that the Qing Envoy had personally promised not to investigate, there truly was nothing to fear.
“Shi Song, go to the Yu Family and confirm how many seeds Yu Yan has condensed.” The tall figure glanced at the short one and spoke.
They had come for both the Dongyang Family and the Yu Family.
Now they’d found a nice surprise at the Dongyang Family. Next was the Yu Family.
“Senior Brother, do we really need to check the Yu Family?” The short figure, Shi Song, raised his eyebrows.
Even the Dongyang Family ancestor had said Yu Yan was crippled, and plus Dongyang Meng was a ten-seed genius.
To Shi Song, there was no longer any need to go to the Yu Family at all.
“Hmm?”
The tall figure furrowed his brow slightly.
Indeed, it didn’t look strictly necessary right now.
But there was a procedure they usually followed. To ignore it would be improper.
“My lords, the Yu Family might still be worth a quick visit. It won’t take long anyway.” The Dongyang Family’s old ancestor tested the waters.
Right now, they had no concerns. Dongyang Meng’s ten seeds had already solidified the family’s path to prominence. Even if they gave the Yu Family one last chance, so what?
“All right. Let’s go pay a visit.”
The tall figure nodded.
“Yes.”
Shi Song did not refuse again. That was simply the way things were done. Not going would cause trouble.
In Shi Song’s opinion, all he had to do was show up, and it would be over in the blink of an eye.
Before long, Shi Song arrived at the Yu Family.
“The Yu Family greets the Qing Envoy.”
The Yu Family’s ancestors bowed, as did the clan’s senior members including the patriarch, Yu Chao Long, all respectfully saluting Envoy Shi Song.
To become a Qing Envoy in the Qingfen Domain, one had to be at least at the peak of the Ji Dao realm. Some Qing Envoys had even reached the Dominance realm.
Moreover, as Marquis Qingfen’s disciples, they had access to multiple secret arts and forbidden techniques transmitted by their master. Their battle prowess was not something ordinary Ji Dao realm cultivators could match.
“Rise.”
Shi Song seemed bored. He had only come here to follow procedure, leaving no loose ends.
“Has the Envoy come alone?”
A Yu Family ancestor asked carefully.
Normally, Qing Envoys traveled in groups of two or three. One alone was rare.
“My two senior brothers are at the Dongyang Family. They sent me to check on things,” Shi Song said off-handedly.
The only reason the tall figure had stayed behind at the Dongyang Family was to make a closer connection with Dongyang Meng.
After all, if she developed normally, she too would someday become a Qing Envoy, and the Dongyang Family would almost certainly stand at the pinnacle of first-tier families.
“Two Envoys are still at the Dongyang Family?”
The Yu Family ancestors’ faces showed a subtle shift.
Why would two Qing Envoys linger at a mere Dongyang Family?
Even if Dongyang Meng had been confirmed as a disciple of Marquis Qingfen, that shouldn’t require such attention.
A typical nine-seed genius, even if accepted as a disciple, was just an ordinary disciple. At most, it allowed the Dongyang Family to become a first-tier family.
Why would that be enough to keep two Qing Envoys there?
And hearing how Shi Song addressed them as “senior brothers,” the two Envoys must be even stronger than he was.
Given that, they still chose to remain with the Dongyang Family. The Yu Family’s old ancestors sensed something amiss.
“Yes, the Dongyang Family produced a ten-seed genius. Quite rare.” Shi Song glanced at the Yu Family ancestors, not hiding the truth and saying it outright.
His senior brothers were still at the Dongyang Family, protecting Dongyang Meng. Even if he revealed it here, it wouldn’t affect anything.
“Ten seeds?”
“Dongyang Meng has formed the tenth scorching sun seed?”
The Yu Family’s old ancestors looked grim. A ten-seed genius in the future would become a major figure in the Qingfen Domain. Even the Yu Family would have to flatter her.
“How can this be?”
Patriarch Yu Chao Long likewise found it hard to believe. Hadn’t Dongyang Meng been about on par with Yu Yan? How had she leapt up to become a ten-seed genius?
“This is troublesome.”
The Yu Family’s old ancestors felt a heavy weight in their hearts.
If Dongyang Meng had only nine seeds, even upon becoming a disciple of Marquis Qingfen, she wouldn’t necessarily be able to suppress them forever. The Yu Family, though second-tier, still had decent connections with several first-tier families. Even if she became a disciple, she likely couldn’t do much to the Yu Family.
But now?
Ten seeds?
Once the news got out, the Yu Family would be thrown into chaos. Those first-tier families they’d been close to would be the first to sever ties.
“All right, let’s get on with it”
Envoy Shi Song said, wanting to finish quickly and rejoin his senior brothers.
“Please wait, Honored Envoy.”
Yu Chao Long’s face looked heavy as he turned away.
Outside a secluded dwelling,
Yu Chao Long summoned Lin Yuan.
Soon, the door opened.
“Ah Yan, come with me to meet the Qing Envoy” Yu Chao Long said solemnly.
“The Qing Envoy is here?” Lin Yuan sounded slightly surprised. Neither the Yu Family nor the Dongyang Family knew exactly when the Envoy would arrive. Only a rough idea.
“What’s going on?” Lin Yuan noticed Yu Chao Long’s expression.
“That Dongyang Meng has formed ten scorching sun seeds,” Yu Chao Long answered quietly.
“Ten?” Lin Yuan looked at Yu Chao Long.
“After today, I’ll send you away, and the Yu Family will relocate. We need to guard against reprisals from the Dongyang Family,” Yu Chao Long said.
“All right.”
They set out together.
In no time, they arrived before the Qing Envoy.
“So you’re Yu Yan?”
Envoy Shi Song glanced at Lin Yuan.
“Yes, that’s me.” Lin Yuan likewise studied him.
Without further comment, Shi Song produced that same crimson mirror, akin to a blazing sun in continuous flame.
Buzz.
The crimson mirror glowed faintly, and its beam instantly enveloped Lin Yuan.
Lin Yuan grew serious. He realized he could not avoid the mirror’s light; it was far faster than time and space.
“Hmm?”
Shi Song watched the mirror’s surface with a casual eye.
Normally, once the mirror’s light touched someone, it would immediately reflect how many scorching sun seeds they had.
But right now, the crimson mirror showed no reaction.
“What’s going on?”
Shi Song felt a flicker of confusion, though his face betrayed nothing.
He was just about to reactivate the crimson mirror, when suddenly he saw a sight he would never forget.
The once-calm surface finally changed.
Crash—
Within the mirror was a boundless sea of crimson, its waves surging into thousands of layers.
If one looked closely, one would see every crest of the waves was formed by dozens of scorching sun seeds.
“This…”
Shi Song’s mouth fell open, his mind a muddled blank.
...
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