Chapter 502 - 168: A Dull Blade’s Pain, a Hollow Dream, a Visit

The vast majority of these Elders from the Tantai Family were only at the Sixth Realm.

After being notified by the Elder Pavilion, Elders from the Helian Family and the Gongsun Family also set out, bringing some of their clansmen to the Tantai Family’s estate to determine the truth of the matter.

The Helian Family, in particular, attached unprecedented importance to this matter, and it had even been fiercely debated within the clan.

"It’s true that Qing’Er was infected by Demonic Qi. Regardless of whether Helian Wen was responsible, colluding with the Demon Race on Immortal Ascension Island is a capital offense."

"If Helian Wen truly wrote this letter, it will surely bear his aura. When the Helian Family arrives, I’d like to see how they explain themselves."

Tantai Xu had a commanding presence, with deep-set eyes and palms that were much broader and thicker than an ordinary person’s. He looked more like a mortal Practitioner or a Martial Artist.

A murderous intent shone from within his cold gaze.

All the Tantai Family Elders were so terrified they didn’t dare to make a sound.

As a Great Power, Tantai Xu’s every move stirred the Power of Heaven and Earth.

Although he was far from the level of a Saint, in the eyes of other cultivators, he was like a Celestial God, exuding an overwhelming pressure that completely crushed any thought of resistance.

Tantai Qing remained silent, merely leaning quietly against the bed. Her pale face was a mask of weakness, and she seemed to feel guilty and dejected over the incident.

Soon, the people from the Gongsun and Helian Families arrived. The three great Guardian Noble Families were not far from each other; after leaving their respective Little Worlds, it didn’t take long to travel between them.

The one leading the Helian Family contingent was a hale and hearty old man in a wide, cloud-patterned robe. His cultivation was much stronger than that of an ordinary Elder, having already reached the Seventh Realm, the Dharma Realm.

His name was Helian Xiang, and he was Helian Wen’s grandfather.

The leader of the Gongsun Family was an old matriarch holding a serpent staff. Her cultivation was also at the Seventh Realm.

The group had clearly already learned the full story through the Elder Pavilion. Their visit this time was merely to confirm if it was true.

Upon arriving, Helian Xiang began examining the letter. His somewhat thin, dry hand trembled slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and deeply concealed the excitement in his eyes.

"Helian Xiang, this letter was written by your own grandson. Surely you recognize his handwriting," Tantai Xu said coldly.

Although he and Helian Xiang were of the same generation, Tantai Xu had a fortuitous encounter in his early years that allowed him to break through to the Eighth Realm Tribulation Bridge Realm, while Helian Xiang remained at the Seventh Realm Dharma Realm to this day.

Hearing this, Helian Xiang didn’t respond. His brows furrowed as he continued to study the letter.

"Helian Wen betrayed the Helian Family. He is no longer my grandson. As for whether the handwriting on this letter is his, I cannot say."

"So many years have passed; I can’t remember many things clearly anymore. Besides, something like handwriting can be imitated by anyone familiar with it. It proves nothing," Helian Xiang said, shaking his head.

Tantai Xu snorted coldly. "Don’t play dumb. Your Helian Family knows better than anyone whether Helian Wen is dead or not. You know full well whether his Life Lamp has been extinguished or if you’ve hidden it away."

Helian Xiang showed no fear, even on the Tantai Family’s home turf. He replied coolly, "He who wishes to condemn a man will never be short of a charge. Tantai Xu, heaven watches all that we do. Your Tantai Family has always been experts at slander and false accusations."

Seeing the two on the verge of drawing swords, the old matriarch from the Gongsun Family quickly stepped in to mediate. "Why must you two argue? There are many arts in this world for changing one’s appearance or altering one’s body. The person Qing’Er saw could have been someone in disguise, deliberately trying to sow discord among our three families."

"The Demon Abyss is stirring, and the Barbarian Race lurks in the shadows. This is a turbulent time, not one for petty squabbles."

"The Tantai Family need not be so enraged about Qing’Er’s attack. Our three families are as one. We should dispatch people to search everywhere. We will certainly be able to find some clues and get justice for Qing’Er."

"If that fails, we can go to the Elder Pavilion and request the use of the Ancestral Artifact to trace back the events of that night?"

As she said this last part, her gaze shifted slightly, her expression becoming profound and meaningful.

"The Ancestral Artifact has been accumulating power for many years. It cannot be used for anything less than a matter of life and death. If we use it, and the Demon Calamity breaks out afterward, how will we defend ourselves? Would Qing’Er then have to bear the blame for that?" Tantai Xu snorted coldly.

Helian Xiang, however, made no comment.

Each of the three great Guardian Noble Families possessed a Clan Artifact left by their respective Saint Ancestors to solidify their foundations.

In addition, the Elder Pavilion housed an Ancestral Artifact that had been jointly forged by three Ancient Saints to deal with major disasters on Immortal Ascension Island. However, it ordinarily required the island’s inhabitants to offer worship and provide Power of Faith to accumulate the energy needed to activate it.

"In that case, we can only have the Elder Pavilion send people to investigate first. Qing’Er will just have to endure this grievance for a little longer," the old matriarch said with a faint smile.

Tantai Qing, who had been silent all this time, heard this and nodded gently. "I will listen to Grandfather and the Elders."

Tantai Xu’s expression turned grim.

With Helian Xiang, Helian Wen’s own grandfather, stubbornly insisting he didn’t recognize the handwriting on the letter, there was nothing Tantai Xu could do.

Unless the Elder Pavilion itself ordered the Helian Family to compare the aura on the letter—but the Helian Family, cunning as foxes, would surely hide everything related to Helian Wen beforehand, including his Life Token.

He alone was not powerful enough to pressure the entire Elder Pavilion.

Moreover, the other Tantai Family Elder within the Elder Pavilion belonged to a different branch of the family and would not necessarily support him.

Tantai Qing seemed to sense her grandfather’s thoughts and gave him a look that told him to be patient.

Just then, someone suddenly came to report from outside. "Young Master Jiang Lan of the Prime Minister’s Mansion has come with the Four Great Dukes to pay a visit to the young miss."

The people in the room were all slightly taken aback.

Although the Prime Minister’s Mansion was powerful, its historical foundation was far inferior to that of a Saint’s Noble Family. However, behind it stood a living Saint who dominated the world.

And that Saint was Jiang Lan’s maternal grandfather.

Because of this connection, even though Jiang Lan was only a junior, none of them dared to treat his personal visit lightly.

"Go and receive them," Tantai Xu ordered, then took the lead in walking out of the house.

Helian Xiang and the old matriarch of the Gongsun Family, however, frowned slightly. These days, because of the business with the merchant guild, the Tantai Family and the Prime Minister’s Mansion seemed to have grown quite close.

Now, Jiang Lan had even brought the Four Great Dukes with him for a visit. This was not good news.

"Help me up..." A glint flashed in Tantai Qing’s eyes as she extended her arm from beneath the thin quilt.

A nearby maidservant hurried forward to support her.

The courtyard was scenic and beautiful. In the distance, a silver waterfall cascaded down, its water flowing along a stream. Ancient trees, already in bloom, lined the banks, their crystal-clear petals scattering to the ground, creating a very tranquil scene.

Surrounded by the Four Great Dukes and a retinue of followers, Jiang Lan approached. Many members of the Tantai Family followed alongside, secretly sizing him up.