Chapter 599 - 551: Giving Full Respect

Chapter 599: Chapter 551: Giving Full Respect

Inside the grand hall, silence prevailed, with only the shimmering glow of the Red Crystal Glaze.

Bai Huan’s face was solemn. As the Supreme Elder, he deeply cared about the rise and fall of the family, not allowing any threat to the Bai family’s survival to arise.

However, perfecting the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array was a dream etched in the blood of every Bai Race member.

Even he was no exception!

"In recent years, our race has sacrificed enormous resources and even humbled ourselves to maintain good relations with the Kong Family, only to find endless demands and even humiliation from them."

The Great Elder pondered for a long time, sighed lightly, and said with a look of grief and indignation.

To secure the possibility of repairing the Ancient Array, they were willing to make sacrifices and concessions; however, as a member of the Ancient Race, Bai Race members possess their own pride.

"You think too simply."

Bai Huan shook his head, knowing full well how excessive the Kong Family had been.

But behind them stood the Emperor of the Great Qin!

He was also hailed as the most promising to cross the Celestial Tribulation and become respected by all things!

A Venerable can annihilate a race.

Bai Huan’s greatest fear lay precisely in this!

"The Venerable Celestial Tribulation isn’t easy to cross. A thousand years ago, the Ling Family had someone reputed to have a chance at crossing the tribulation, and what happened?"

Bai Lan, seeing the Supreme Elder’s concern, remarked.

The Venerable Celestial Tribulation was not only a nightmare for cultivators of the Great Immortal Countries and Ancient Races but also perilous for the Ten Thousand Races.

A thousand years ago, the ancestor of the Ling Family exhausted most of the family’s resources to cross the tribulation, yet he still perished under the tribulation, leaving the Ling Family thereafter in decline.

Had it not been for their territory possessing a Space Fragment, the Ling Family would likely have been entirely devastated.

"Moreover, if our family’s Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array could be perfected, even a Venerable might not be able to breach it."

Bai Lan’s voice held undisguised pride.

For the Bai Family, as long as the Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array could be perfected, they could stand invincible on the continent in the future, even if a Venerable appeared, unable to annihilate the Bai Family!

Upon hearing this, Bai Huan showed a hint of emotional response.

When the ancestors of the Bai Family obtained this array, they acquired some related information. The Thousand Leaves Locking Heaven Array was crafted from the life’s work of an Ancient Array Grandmaster. When in its complete state, as long as the energy was sufficient to sustain, almost no one could break through!

Bai Huan could hardly imagine just how formidable a complete Ancient Array was in ancient times.

Even with only fifty percent completeness, it could withstand Half-Venerable level attacks without showing any sign of damage. Once perfected, it might even withstand a Venerable!

Such an idea, even if fleeting, was enough to stir the heart of this Supreme Elder.

"Words alone are unconvincing."

Bai Huan paused, looked toward the Great Elder beside him, and asked, "Bai Yi, what do you think?"

"What Huan Elder and the Clan Leader said is reasonable, but...whether Emperor Qin can cross the Celestial Tribulation, no one knows. In my view, why not first attempt to befriend Qin Master?"

The Great Elder glanced at Bai Lan, seeing the latter’s calm demeanor, finally making a choice.

Bai Lan’s expression remained unchanged, yet he secretly breathed a sigh of relief inside.

"Could we use resources to court Qin Master?"

Bai Huan’s gaze turned to Bai Lan, inquiring.

If possible, he still hoped to achieve a win-win situation, to draw in Qin Yu while doing his best not to strain relations excessively with the Kong Family.

"It’s probably not about resources. The Second Elder saw with his own eyes, Yaosha and Qin Master behaving closely, and moreover..."

Bai Lan hesitated a little, thickening his face before speaking: "Emperor Yan told me that Qin Master’s journey this time was precisely for a marriage proposal."

"Is that so?"

Bai Huan sensed something amiss keenly.

Would the dignified Emperor Yan consider an imperial tributor so highly?

Personally inform the Ancient Race Clan Leader?

This was not the style of the Great Yan Empress.

"If Huan Elder is uneasy, why not let Qin Master attempt to repair the Ancient Array?"

The Great Elder’s face bore a trace of a smile as he spoke.

"He’s a royal court tributor of Great Yan, he might not be willing."

Bai Huan shook his head and sighed lightly.

The Bai Family’s Ancient Array was something any force feared greatly.

Whether it was the Nine Immortal Countries or the other seven Ancient Races, none wished to see the Bai Family’s Ancient Array completely repaired.

This was why, despite the enormous price paid, the Emperor of the Great Qin still showed no intention of taking action again.

Bai Lan didn’t rush to defend, seeing the Supreme Elder was already moved, and would not easily give up.

"Bai Lan, you go meet with Qin Master first. If he is willing to assist, let him repair an Ancient Array for our Bai Family..."

Bai Huan ultimately chose to compromise.

...

"That’s the place where my sister and I grew up. Behind the mountain, there’s a deep pool, where our father forbade my sister and I to play..."

Bai Yaosha sat on the pavilion in the small courtyard, pointing at the distant mountainside, her delicate face holding a touch of reminiscence.

Qin Yu thought he should have brought Bai Yaoyin back too; surely, both sisters missed it.

"Qin Master, Miss, the Clan Leader invites both of you over."

Just then, the maid guarding outside the courtyard knocked softly at the door. Once given permission, she entered the courtyard, politely saluting, and said.

"Let’s go over there."

Qin Yu stood up, noticing Bai Yaosha’s restrained expression, and took the initiative to extend his hand.

Bai Yaosha froze, her cheeks flushing with a hint of redness.

Though the two had already embraced, holding hands wasn’t excessively intimate, but they were, after all, going to meet her father, and holding hands...

"Let’s go."

Qin Yu didn’t overthink it, looking at her shyly beautiful face, and directly took her hand.

Bai Yaosha shyly lowered her head, wanting to pull away, but then seemed to think of something and finally let Qin Yu hold her hand.

Led by the maidservant, the two walked through the mountainside and arrived near the peak.

Amidst the swirling mists, an ancient and majestic hall stood silently, surrounded by a few ancient pine trees swaying in the wind, adding an air of mystery and timelessness.

"Master Qin!"

The Second Elder, Bai Feng, was standing in front of the hall. Upon seeing the two, he immediately stepped forward, and when he saw their joined hands, the smile on his old face grew even wider.

Bai Yaosha’s pretty face flushed red, she glared at Qin Yu playfully, quickly withdrawing her hand.

"Second Elder."

Qin Yu remained composed, giving a slight bow.

From their first meeting, the Second Elder had caught sight of even more intimate gestures between him and Bai Yaosha, yet at that time, she was too absorbed in studying the array patterns to notice.

"Come, let’s go inside; the Clan Leader and Great Elder are waiting for you."

Bai Feng, slightly flustered with this unexpected attention, hurriedly helped Qin Yu up and gestured invitingly.

Qin Yu did not decline, exchanged a glance with Bai Yaosha, and stepped into the guest hall boldly.

Immediately, a thick, ancient aura enveloped them. The columns inside the hall were massive and tall, with exquisite patterns carved into them. Luxurious tables and chairs were arranged inside, their textures clearly visible, and several old paintings hung on the surrounding walls. Despite some fading, the vividness of the figures and landscapes depicted was still apparent.

At this moment, two figures were already seated inside the hall. Seeing the pair approach, they ceased their conversation.

"Is this Master Qin?"

Bai Lan’s eyes flashed with keen interest as he looked Qin Yu up and down. The latter was younger than expected, with dignified features and an extraordinary presence.

A true dragon among men, no wonder the Clan Leader favors him as a son-in-law!

"Qin Yu greets Clan Leader Bai and Great Elder."

Qin Yu cupped his hand in salute.

"Master Qin is a distinguished guest of the Bai Family, no need to be so formal."

The Great Elder’s face was brimming with a smile, inwardly marveling.

Bai Lan, that rascal, has such good luck to find such a splendid son-in-law.

Indeed, among his own children, there were quite a few young women, yet their looks could not compare to Bai Yaosha.

What a pity.

"Father, Great Elder."

Bai Yaosha took a deep breath and bowed.

To her surprise, the Great Elder showed no signs of disapproval, his eyes full of comfort.

After a few pleasantries, the Great Elder glanced at Bai Lan.

Asking about his preferences and such, hadn’t the Bai Family already gathered all this basic information long ago?

This guy, has he really regarded Qin Yu as his son-in-law now?

"Ahem, Master Qin..."

"Uncle Lan, if you don’t mind, just call me by my name."

Qin Yu said with a smile.

Others might call him that, but as he was his fiancée’s father and his future father-in-law, hearing "Master" made Qin Yu feel somewhat awkward.

"Good!"

Bai Lan’s eyes shone with pleasure, not forgetting to cast a sidelong glance at the Great Elder, as if showing off.

Old fellow, see how humble this master, whom you and the Supreme Elder spoke so highly of, is before me.

"Qin Yu, what brings you to the Bai Family this time?"

Bai Lan sensed several subtle hints from the Great Elder, yet he found it difficult to speak up.

"Hmm?"

Qin Yu was taken aback.

Was it not you who sought aid from the Empress, prompting my visit?

However, seeing Bai Lan’s suggestive expression, he caught on immediately.

"I humbly came to seek Uncle Lan’s blessing for marriage."

For some reason, in Bai Lan, Qin Yu saw the shadow of the Demonic Sect’s master, his old father-in-law.

Could it be that all fathers-in-law are concerned with appearances?

This small request, of course, Qin Yu would oblige.

The Great Elder’s eyes narrowed in surprise, Master Qin had been so considerate as to lower his stance?

Compared to the Kong Family and Emperor Qin, there was no dilemma in choosing!

"The daughters of the Bai Family are not so easily wed."

Bai Lan’s expression was kindly, though a hint of pride was evident in his tone.

"???"

The Great Elder was momentarily stunned. If not for Master Qin and the younger generation present, he would have loved to smack the Clan Leader on the back of his head.

Just a moment ago, before the Supreme Elder, you didn’t behave like this!

Given Qin Yu’s formidable prowess in ancient arrays, why hesitate to agree? What’s with the reluctance?

"Of course, that’s why I came prepared with a betrothal gift."

Unperturbed, Qin Yu was more than willing to fulfill his future father-in-law’s small vanity, now that Bai Lan treated him so familiarly.

"Oh?"

A smile curled at Bai Lan’s lips.

Truth be told, as the Clan Leader of an ancient race, he cared little for such betrothal gifts, given the Bai Family’s rich heritage, there were few material things that could catch his interest.

The Great Elder was a bit surprised but seeing that Qin Yu didn’t leave in anger, rather behaving so graciously, the smile on his old face deepened.