Chapter 598 - 550: He’s... This Strong?

Chapter 598: Chapter 550: He’s... This Strong?

At the peak of the Ancient Mountain stands a grand and solemn hall, silently embedded beneath the skyline, as if it has traveled through time since antiquity.

From afar, the entire hall appears deep black, molded from meteoric iron, its surface covered with intricate Array Patterns, emanating the ancient and distant glow accumulated over the years.

Even the ground beneath the hall is not stone slabs, but rather translucent Red Crystal Glaze, from which a faint reddish glow emanates, like the fiery veins below the earth, magnificent yet imposing, inspiring awe.

This place is the council grand hall of the Bai Family of the Ancient Race!

Only when the Bai Family faces great danger, requiring major decision-making, do the core leaders of the Bai Family gather in this hall.

Inside the hall, the furnishings are simple, with a triangular stone platform at the center and three chairs on the sides.

Each chair is suspended three feet above the ground in a strangely mysterious manner, with various totems of ancient Divine Beasts carved into the chair backs.

Below the chairs, thick iron chains lead down into the Red Crystal Glaze below.

Faintly visible below is a complicated and intricate Array. It is a miniature version of the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array, representing the core of this formation.

It can be said that this hall is the core of the Bai Family’s power.

Whether repairing Arrays or discussing strategies, the three core leaders must convene a unanimous decision.

At this moment, each of the three chairs is occupied by a figure.

Bai Lan, the Clan Leader of the Bai Family, sits with the Bai Family’s Great Elder on one side.

In the main seat is an aged figure adorned in a simple yet solemn long robe, exuding an inherent authority without anger, his deep eyes reflecting wisdom and experience.

This person is the Supreme Elder of the Bai Family: Bai Huan.

"Is everyone here yet?"

Bai Huan’s aged voice echoed: "Yaosha has also returned, saving us some trouble."

Beside him, the Great Elder did not intervene, a mysterious light flickering in his deep-set eyes, leaving his stance unclear.

"Elder Huan, do you intend for Yaosha to form an alliance marriage with the Kong Family?"

Bai Lan frowned and asked, an indescribable solemnity in his voice.

"Naturally."

Bai Huan replied without a moment’s hesitation.

"This matter requires careful consideration."

Bai Lan shook his head in refusal.

Even facing the Supreme Elder, his stance remained unwavering.

"Bai Lan, now that you are the Clan Leader of the Bai Family, you must not act on impulse."

Bai Huan snorted coldly, as though an elder lecturing a junior.

"I have long told you that the Kong Family has close ties with Emperor Qin and must not be offended."

"For the sake of your two beloved daughters, you risk breaking an agreement with the Kong Family, putting the Bai Family in a precarious position. Do you think it’s appropriate?"

"If you persist in this way, I wouldn’t hesitate to have the clan elders elect a Clan Leader who prioritizes the Bai Family’s greater good."

Bai Huan’s tone was severe, exuding an indisputable authority.

"Elder Huan, this... it’s not necessary."

The initially silent Great Elder, sensing the escalating tension, finally spoke up.

"Not necessary?"

Bai Huan snorted coldly, "The current Emperor of the Great Qin is a legendary emperor, and among those most likely to successfully overcome the Celestial Tribulation in this era."

"If he succeeds in overcoming the Celestial Tribulation and achieves the Venerable Realm, it will be too late for you to regret!"

Hearing these words, both Bai Lan and the Great Elder’s expressions shifted slightly.

The Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array is reputed to be unbreakable by anyone below the Venerable Realm, but what if it faces a Venerable who has transcended the Celestial Tribulation, revered by all beings?

Even with the Bai Family’s high regard for themselves, they dare not guarantee that the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array could stop such a legendary being.

"Elder Huan, why resort to alarmism? It’s true that the Kong Family has close ties with Emperor Qin, but if Emperor Qin achieves the Venerable Realm, why would he act against the Bai Family over this?"

Bai Lan did not agree, speaking out loud.

The Venerable is revered by all beings!

Such beings, standing proud between heaven and earth, every Venerable Realm existence, has made immense contributions to the Human Race and would hardly be bound by worldly matters!

Moreover, Bai Lan didn’t think Emperor Qin would necessarily achieve the Venerable.

Celestial Tribulation represents the will of this land — how can it be so easily endured?!

Throughout the river of time, how many extraordinarily talented geniuses have appeared, and where are they now?

All turned to ashes under the Celestial Tribulation.

"This matter needs no further mention; my Bai Family will not take such a risk."

Bai Huan’s voice carried little emotion.

Regarding the crisis of survival for the Bai Family, he allows for no chance!

Even if it’s just a slight possibility, it must be nipped in the bud.

Only then can the Bai Family endure through the ages.

Moreover, in his eyes, the sacrifice required is merely Bai Yaoyin or Bai Yaosha, a family member whose abilities are not indispensable.

"Could it be that Elder Huan has forgotten, Yaosha is Qin the Master’s Dao Companion?"

Bai Lan, with a somber expression, replied.

Upon hearing this, Bai Huan’s brow furrowed deeply.

Evidently, even as the Supreme Elder, he greatly values the master who, overnight, repaired a ruined Array for the Bai Family.

In truth, the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array upon which the Bai Family’s survival depends...is incomplete!

The Ancient Ruined Arrays placed by the Bai Family in the Carefree Pavilion are all but a small part of the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array.

With each segment of the ruined Array repaired, the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array becomes more complete!

It is said that if the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array could be fully repaired, even a Venerable may not forcibly break it!

However, throughout the long river of time, the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array has only been repaired from fifty percent completion to sixty percent.

As for fully repairing it?

Honestly, no Bai Family member has ever dared dream of such a luxury.

But, it doesn’t stop every generation of Bai Family members from striving for the Array!

"Though the Kong Family is strong, with the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array, it cannot harm us."

"And this Qin the Master, as far as our Bai Family has seen, is the most promising master to repair the Ancient Array."

Bai Lan glanced at the Supreme Elder, speaking loudly: "You should be clearer than I about the choices to make, Elder Huan."

Repair the Ancient Array?

Upon hearing this, Bai Huan’s deep eyes sparked with brilliance.

Once upon a time, when he was the Clan Leader of the Bai Family, he poured countless efforts into repairing the Ancient Array.

Perhaps it’s been too long, he nearly forgot his past efforts and gradually lost faith in restoring the Ancient Array.

In comparison, he now cares more about the survival of the Bai Family.

"The ruined array in the Carefree Pavilion is merely a thousandth or a hundredth of the Ancient Array, even if one or two piece can be repaired, it won’t have a significant impact on our tribe."

Bai Huan pondered for a long time, shook his head, and sighed.

Even without Qin Yu, every few hundred years, under the Bai family’s efforts, there was hope to repair one or two pieces of the Ancient Array.

This...

Was merely the icing on the cake.

It was not enough for the Bai Family to go to any lengths for it.

"Don’t forget, the Kong Family requested the Emperor of the Great Qin, and spent a hundred ninety-seven days to repair a broken array for our family, yet Qin Master did it in just one night."

Bai Lan said heavily.

When Emperor Qin repaired the Ancient Array, the Bai Family was extremely excited, willing to spend a great price to build a good rapport with the Kong Race, just to invite Emperor Qin again to help repair the Ancient Array.

However, twenty years have passed.

Emperor Qin did not make another move to repair the Ancient Array for the Bai Family.

These matters, Bai Lan did not need to mention deliberately, Bai Huan was naturally aware of the reasons.

With the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array, without the intervention of a Venerable, the Bai Family stands almost invincible!

No force is willing to see the Ancient Race continue to grow stronger.

Bai Huan fell into silence.

One side is Qin Yu with a heaven-defying mastery over the Ancient Ruined Array, the other side faces potential threats to the Bai Family’s survival—the Kong Family!

How to choose...

"What about Bai Yaoyin?"

"After Bai Yaosha avoided the marriage alliance back then, did the Kong Family’s son not agree to marry her as well?"

Bai Huan furrowed his brow, not continuing to dwell on the issue, asking instead.

"Yaoyin has made contributions to our tribe and can be exempted from the marriage alliance."

Bai Lan replied.

"Bai Lan, at this point, you need to learn flexibility!"

Bai Huan said in a deep voice.

Flexibility?

Why don’t you let your own great-great-great-granddaughter marry into the Kong Family?

Bai Lan chuckled inwardly.

Doesn’t the Supreme Elder understand the disposition of the Kong Family?

Without being absolutely forced, who would want to push their beloved daughter into such a pit?

"To be honest, the Second Elder came back some time ago and told me something."

"Yaoyin already has a Dao Companion, she... has lost her Primordial Yin Qi."

Bai Lan said slowly.

Originally, related to his beloved daughter, he didn’t want to bring this up.

"Outrageous!"

Bai Huan slapped the stone platform violently, his face furious.

Wanting to discipline, but Bai Yaoyin’s contributions while stationed at the Carefree Pavilion indeed adhered to the clan rules, even he couldn’t blame her for it.

Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was oppressive.

Bai Lan gazed at his nose, nose to heart, appearing indifferent as if it didn’t concern him.

"Bai Lan, how do you plan to handle this matter?"

Eventually, the Great Elder couldn’t stand it, shook his head, and asked.

Compared to the differing opinions of the two, his attitude was neutral, without taking sides.

"Qin Master’s mastery, our tribe has witnessed. Not only did he repair an Ancient Array in one night, but over the past two months, he also guided Yaosha to comprehend over thirty incomplete array patterns..."

Bai Lan spoke slowly, his tone openly admiring.

Upon hearing this, Bai Huan’s originally somber expression eased slightly, his eyes showing a trace of surprise.

Over thirty array patterns?

And actually guided Bai Yaosha to fully comprehend?

He was aware of Bai Yaosha’s mastery of array techniques.

The latter was extremely fascinated by the art of arrays, her perception, although not considered mediocre, within the Bai Family, there were plenty better than her.

And among those array geniuses, the most perfected only three array patterns.

Bai Yaosha, in two months, comprehended thirty incomplete array patterns?

How is this possible?

"Is this true?"

Bai Huan finally couldn’t resist being swayed, asking.

"If Elder Huan doesn’t believe, you can summon Yaosha to have her carve the patterns."

Bai Lan chuckled.

Why did he seek aid from the Emperor Yan?

It’s Qin Yu’s mastery in the art of the Ancient Array that he values!

Bai Lan believes, as long as Bai Huan personally witnesses Qin Yu’s talents, his attitude will surely change.

"Even if this Qin Master is extraordinary in the Ancient Array art, what then?"

Bai Huan pondered for a long time, sighed lightly, and said: "He is ultimately not one of our Bai Family, would he truly be willing to contribute for our tribe?"

"Surely better than the Kong Family?"

Bai Lan’s face showed a smile, his heart secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, he diverted the Supreme Elder’s attention from marriage alliances to the Ancient Array.

It seems, within the Supreme Elder’s heart, there still lies an obsession for the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array.