The Prince stands above, with all the major aristocratic families and sects beneath him.

Of course, the sects conduct themselves with utmost discretion these days.

Among the prominent families within the Provincial Capital, the Bai Family is foremost. Rumor has it they possess a True Sovereign cultivator.

The Nie Family ranks next, and so on.

The Qi Family once flourished, hailed as the greatest in Liangzhou, with not just one True Sovereign under their banner.

But now, they have long since declined.

Among all the aristocratic families in the provincial capital, they barely manage to remain at the bottom.

If Qi Yu were to marry the Young Prince, the Qi Family would naturally rise with the tides—it's not impossible for them to make a comeback.

Xu Yang could well imagine what the people of the Qi Family think about Qi Yu and the Young Prince.

Forget the high-ranking members—even the ordinary clansmen likely desperately hope Qi Yu will wed the Young Prince!

"Teacher, what is that senior's name?" Xu Yang quietly asked.

"Qi Xin."

Xu Yang silently memorized the name, then asked, "If we arrive at the Qi Family and encounter obstruction, what should we do?"

"Can't you read the situation yourself?" Gu Jun replied irritably.

He was clearly in a foul mood now.

Whatever had been said before, after a thousand years, to suddenly encounter the descendants of a once-beloved woman—to claim his heart was unmoved would be a lie.

Sadly, the lady had passed!

Xu Yang grinned awkwardly and said no more.

Soon after, they reached the Qi Family estate.

Qi Yu led them inside, stopping before a study. She glanced at Xu Yang and said, "Wait here a moment. I'll go and inform them."

Xu Yang nodded slightly.

Qi Yu knocked and entered.

About a dozen breaths passed.

The study door opened again, and Qi Yu emerged accompanied by a refined middle-aged man.

Xu Yang looked up—this man's cultivation was at Myriad Manifestations Realm Perfection. He was no doubt the current Clan Leader of the Qi Family.

Upon first meeting, his bearing did leave a favorable impression!

Qi Zhengyang scanned the assembled group, his gaze landing slowly on Xu Yang.

"Does this young man have an old connection to our Qi Family? May I inquire who you are?"

"Qi Xin!"

Xu Yang smiled slightly and said, "By coincidence, we've met today, so I wished to come pay my respects."

"Qi Xin?"

Qi Zhengyang was stunned as soon as he heard the name.

"Great-grandmother?" Qi Yu's eyes widened in disbelief.

What kind of joke is this?

That was her father's grandmother.

Qi Zhengyang's brows furrowed. "Is it that Mr. Gu's elder knows my grandmother?"

"Quite right!"

Qi Zhengyang's brows relaxed; he glanced deeply at Xu Yang and smiled, "I ask Mr. Gu to wait a moment. To pay respects is no issue, but since you wish to enter our ancestral hall, it's necessary to consult with the family elders."

Xu Yang's gaze flickered; he nodded with a smile.

Consult?

He found this somewhat suspicious.

Even if it's the ancestral hall, just for a simple prayer—you could easily accompany me yourself. Why require a consultation?

This isn't any great affair.

Still, he wanted to see the Qi Family's intentions.

Soon after, Qi Zhengyang had someone lead Xu Yang off to a guest room to rest.

Nie Feng and the others were called out alone by Qi Zhengyang.

Inside the room.

Xu Yang sighed, "Teacher, I fear it won't be so smooth!"

"Hmph!"

Gu Jun snorted coldly. He had witnessed all of Qi Zhengyang's actions firsthand: "The Qi Family really has fallen."

"Looking to curry favor with the powerful, yet never considering whether they have the qualifications."

"Let's see what they plan next," Xu Yang said slowly.

Meanwhile, in the Qi Family's council chamber—

Qi Zhengyang sat together with several of the clan elders.

"That's everything," he said.

"I've already questioned Nie Feng and the others."

"That brat's elder may truly have known grandmother, but it's far more likely he has his eye on Yu'Er."

Qi Zhengyang narrowed his eyes and said, "Paying respects is no big deal. But should we permit it?"

The Grand Elder didn't hesitate: "Clan Leader, this Gu Hong may be of remarkable background, but he is still an outsider. Today, Nie Feng and the rest witnessed everything. If word of this reaches the Young Prince, it won't bode well!"

"That's right!"

"Yu'Er's relationship with the Young Prince determines our Qi Family's rise. We cannot allow any mishaps!"

"Let him go!"

...

Qi Zhengyang exhaled silently, looked at the elders, and smiled faintly: "Then, Grand Elder, it's up to you to deal with him."

The Grand Elder nodded slowly.

After half an incense stick of time—

There came a knock at the door.

"They're here."

Xu Yang opened his eyes, rose, and went to the door.

A Qi Family guard said respectfully, "Mr. Gu, the Clan Leader wishes to see you."

"Please lead the way!"

"This way, please!"

Xu Yang followed the guard out of the courtyard.

Moments later, they reached the council hall.

Upon entering, he found Nie Feng and the others present.

But Qi Yu was nowhere to be seen.

And seated in the place of honor was not Qi Zhengyang, but an elderly man instead.

"Senior, may I ask who you are?" Xu Yang looked on doubtfully, though he already guessed the answer.

The Grand Elder beamed enthusiastically. "I am Qi Yuan, Grand Elder of the Qi Family. Mr. Gu, your talent is truly impressive."

"Grand Elder flatters me!"

"Regarding the matter of paying respects…?"

Xu Yang probed.

The Grand Elder showed a helpless expression. "To be frank, our Qi Family currently has a Martial Artist in closed-door meditation within the ancestral hall, and it happens to be at a critical juncture. I'm afraid the ceremony must be postponed."

"If Mr. Gu is not in a hurry, you might as well stay until he finishes retreat, then we can proceed!"

Anyone with a brain could tell this was a flimsy pretext!

As for staying and waiting?

A Martial Artist's seclusion can last half a year or longer—who knows when the person will emerge?

This supposed meditator was, most likely, pure fabrication!

Nie Feng and the others exchanged glances at this.

They seemed to understand, forming their own guesses, but dared not speak rashly here.

Xu Yang kept a straight face, bowing his head slightly.

"Teacher, there are two options now."

"First, I reveal my identity outright—they wouldn't dare oppose me!"

"Second..."

"Pick the second—give these useless fools a good lesson!" Gu Jun interrupted him coldly, not bothering to hide his contempt now that he'd seen everything.

If Xu Yang could see through it, how could he not?

The Qi Family's intentions were all too clear!

This both enraged and distressed Gu Jun!

The Qi Family has sunk so low?

If Qi Xi saw this, how would she feel?

Gu Jun sneered, "A pack of useless failures. Truth be told, I'm nearly an ancestor to their lot—I needn't spare them any dignity. Just do it!"

"Damn it, these old bastards would trade a little girl's fate for their clan's rise? Like hell they'll ever succeed!"

Once, he had intended to bestow some favor upon the Qi Family afterwards.

But seeing this, he instantly cast that thought aside!

Their rise and fall is dictated by fate!

With such people, even if given a chance, they couldn't preserve it. Sooner or later, doom awaits!

Xu Yang's mouth twitched, "Is this really appropriate?"

Elsewhere, with someone else, he'd have already acted.

Precisely because this was the family of Gu Jun's beloved's descendants, he'd remained hidden and restrained all along!

"Why wouldn't it be? If Qi Xin were still here, she'd have slaughtered these idiots long ago."

"That girl is even tougher than I am!"

Well, birds of a feather flock together!

Giving it thought, Gu Jun wasn't wrong—by his status, at the time, he'd be called more than half an ancestor to the Qi Family.

They'd have treated Gu Jun with even greater reverence than their forefathers!

Hearing this, Xu Yang drew a deep breath. Since Gu Jun had spoken, there was no need to hesitate any longer.

Action first, talk later!

Under the Grand Elder's puzzled gaze, Xu Yang grinned. "Qi Yuan, is it? I'm sorry, but I simply must enter your Qi Family's ancestral hall; as for Senior Qi Xi, today I must pay my respects—no matter what!"