Chapter 267: Stirring Up Trouble

Yun Che hadn't heard them mention what this "sect treasure" was. However, judging by how much they valued it, even going to such great lengths for its sake, it was undoubtedly an extraordinary item. Perhaps it was even a "sacred object" on par with the Bodhi Emperor Heart Lotus.

The sect's treasure was extremely precious; it was even the hope for the Tai Su Sect to ascend from a top sect in the Fusang Kingdom to a top sect on the Cangyun Continent. Therefore, deciding who would use this "sect treasure" was of utmost importance. Using it on an ordinary disciple would undoubtedly be a terrible waste. Because of the critical nature of this matter, the sect treasure remained unused until the current generation. It was hidden in an unknown location, accessible only with a special key. This unique key was always held by the current Sect Master.

In this generation, the key was in Su Hengshan's possession.

Su Hengyue was a man of immense ambition. Even in his youth, he coveted the sect's treasure. While his talent was above average, it wasn't exceptional enough for him to voice his aspirations. His excessive ambition ultimately led to his defeat by Su Hengshan in the competition for the Sect Master position. Nevertheless, he commanded considerable prestige within the Tai Su Sect. Over the years, he had garnered substantial support through various tactics. Coupled with his strong push for cooperation with the Blackwood Fortress, those in the Tai Su Sect's Elder Council who shared his views naturally gravitated toward him.

Currently, Su Hengyue's resolute demand for Su Hengshan to surrender the treasure key—even to the point of turning against him and leveraging the power of Blackwood Fortress—stemmed entirely from his son, Su Haoyu.

Su Haoyu had just turned twenty this year, yet his profound strength had already reached the eighth level of the Spirit Profound Realm! This was an unprecedented achievement in the history of the Tai Su Sect. Su Hengyue firmly believed that his son's talent made him fully qualified to receive the sect's treasure. He brought this up to Su Hengshan repeatedly, even having his faction members collectively pressure him, but Su Hengshan steadfastly refused. Although Su Haoyu possessed astonishing talent, he definitely did not meet the "world-shaking" standard that the ancestors had repeatedly emphasized. Furthermore, Su Hengyue had always harbored immense ambition. If the sect treasure were indeed given to Su Haoyu, the Tai Su Sect's power would eventually fall entirely into Su Hengyue's lineage. To satisfy his personal desires, he was even willing to betray the Tai Su Sect and rely on the strength of Blackwood Fortress. If the Tai Su Sect were to fall into his hands, the consequences would be catastrophic.

"Su Hengshan, if you had given up the sect treasure earlier, my son Haoyu would have already soared to great heights. Within ten years, he would lead the entire Tai Su Sect to a level we can only aspire to now!" Su Hengyue sneered, "Don't imagine we're unaware of your true intentions. You're simply jealous of my son's talent and harbor delusions of keeping the sect treasure for yourself. Hmph, it's natural for people to feel jealousy and selfishness, but you are hindering the entire Tai Su Sect. As an Elder of the Tai Su Sect, I absolutely cannot permit that!"

"Nonsense!" Su Haoran roared angrily. "You're clearly harboring selfish motives and attempting to seize the sect treasure, yet you turn around and slander others. You are utterly shameless!"

"Oh!" Su Hengyue scoffed coldly. "I, the father, haven't even spoken, and you, the son, have already lost your composure. Do you, the Sect Master's son, perhaps believe you are more qualified than my Haoyu to receive the sect treasure? Very well, if you can defeat Haoyu, then you are indeed more qualified. Haoyu, come out and spar with your cousin Haoran."

"Yes, Father."

From behind Su Hengyue, a young man around twenty years old, dressed in white, stepped forward. His expression was calm, but the arrogance in his gaze was unmistakable. "Brother Haoran," he said, "more empty words are useless. If you can defeat me, I will naturally be ashamed to claim this sect treasure, and my faction will never again raise any objections to the Sect Master regarding this matter. Please, proceed."

"You...!" Su Haoran's face flushed crimson, but he dared not advance. Although Su Haoyu was half a year younger than him, his profound strength had already reached the eighth level of the Spirit Profound Realm. He was no match; if they truly fought, the only outcome would be a humiliating defeat and a complete loss of face.

Su Hengshan's chest also heaved, and he let out a heavy sigh.

"What? Is Cousin Haoran perhaps afraid? Heh... there's no need to be so nervous, Cousin Haoran. It's just a friendly spar. I promise I won't be too rough. Besides, what if you happen to defeat me? Wouldn't that grant you your wish?" Su Haoyu extended a finger towards Su Haoran, a mocking smile on his lips, his face alight with derision.

"Alright, that's enough arguing."

An aged voice resounded. Grand Elder Su Wangji opened his eyes from his seat, his slow words imbued with solemn authority: "Hengyue's actions in this matter were indeed improper, yet they are understandable. Hengshan, although our ancestors stipulated that the sect treasure should only be utilized upon the emergence of a truly 'world-shaking' disciple, there are numerous interpretations of what 'world-shaking' signifies. Haoyu is a rare prodigy, appearing only once in a century in our Tai Su Sect. At merely twenty years old, he has already entered the late stage of the Spirit Profound Realm. In the Fusang Kingdom, this achievement certainly warrants the description 'world-shaking.' In my view, he is entirely qualified to benefit from the sect treasure. I can assure you that for the next few centuries, it is highly unlikely that the Tai Su Sect will produce a disciple whose talent matches Haoyu's!"

Su Wangji's words clearly favored Su Hengyue, yet some of his points were difficult to refute. He gazed at Su Hengshan and stated calmly, "Haoyu is twenty years old this year, which is not young. If he ages further, the effectiveness of using the sect treasure will inevitably be greatly diminished. Hengshan, if you remain obstinate and continue to guard the sect treasure without yielding, what if the Tai Su Sect never produces this so-called 'world-shaking' talent? Will this sect treasure then remain sealed away forever? The sect could have soared to greatness much earlier, but it has been stagnant for too long because of this. If the sect were to face a grave disaster someday, it would be far too late to utilize this sect treasure!"

Su Hengshan's brow furrowed tighter and tighter. If Su Hengyue were merely a dutiful elder, and Su Haoyu inherently virtuous, and if enough people advised bringing out the sect treasure, Su Hengshan, while perhaps finding it improper, would not have been so unyielding. However, the series of actions taken by Su Hengyue's faction to obtain the sect treasure made it absolutely impossible for him to compromise on this matter!

His attempts to rally factions were perhaps forgivable. But leveraging the power of Blackwood Fortress to exert pressure… this, in essence, was an act of betrayal against the sect!

To hand over the sect treasure to someone so consumed by greed that they would betray the sect—he would rather die than agree!

"How about this?" Su Wangji narrowed his eyes and slowly suggested, "Hengshan, you may choose any disciple under twenty years old from within the sect. If any of them can defeat Haoyu, then Hengyue will no longer be permitted to raise the matter of the sect treasure!"

Su Hengyue and his faction burst into laughter. Su Hengyue then stated with a solemn expression, "Excellent! If any disciple of our Tai Su Sect under twenty years old can defeat Haoyu, thereby proving that Haoyu is not the most talented, I will immediately withdraw. I won't utter another word about the sect treasure, and I will even apologize to the Sect Master for my 'improper' conduct today. But what if no one can defeat Haoyu?"

"In that case, Hengshan, please entrust the key to the sect treasure to Haoyu. I believe the Elder Council, along with all fellow disciples present, wish for this matter to conclude swiftly," Su Wangji said slowly.

Su Hengshan clenched his hands tightly, his knuckles audibly cracking. Just as he was about to unleash an angry retort, a young man's arrogant voice suddenly drifted in from the side.

"What an excellent proposal! Truly excellent! As expected of the Grand Elder; even his suggestions are so insightful. Of course, I wholeheartedly endorse such a brilliant idea!"

Yun Che approached unhurriedly, a smile playing on his lips. He was holding the hand of Su Ling'er, who looked nervous and clung tightly to his side.

When Yun Che, unable to bear watching any longer, stepped out of the Qilong Pavilion, he spotted Su Ling'er peeking from behind a tree. Seeing him exit the room, Su Ling'er quickly ran over and urgently said, "Brother Yun Che! Father said you mustn't go over there! It's very dangerous."

"Don't worry, I won't be in any danger," Yun Che said with a gentle smile. "Ling'er, you stay here. Don't come any closer... Once this matter is resolved, I'll play with you."

After speaking, Yun Che was about to move forward. However, just as he took a step, he stopped once more and asked Su Ling'er, "Ling'er, do you believe I can protect you?"

Looking into Yun Che's eyes, Su Ling'er nodded vigorously without a moment's hesitation. "Yes!"

"Then, we'll go together!" Yun Che said softly, taking Su Ling'er's hand. "By my side, no one can harm you!" In his heart, he felt that his side was the safest place for Su Ling'er; he wouldn't feel at ease with her anywhere else.

The moment Yun Che's arrogant voice rang out, he instantly became the focal point of the entire scene. Su Hengshan's face immediately paled with alarm. "Little Brother Yun, and Ling'er... why are you here?! Leave this place at once! This matter has nothing to do with you, and this is not where you should be right now!"

Yun Che had previously saved Su Ling'er. If the Blackwood Fortress recognized him as the one who had thwarted their crucial plans, they might well target him. As for Su Ling'er, her presence here was even more perilous. The moment Su Bai spoke, he had already decided to sever all ties and initiate action. This was absolutely not a place for them to be.

"Daddy, I... I'm not scared. I came to cheer you on," Su Ling'er said, smiling sweetly at Su Hengshan. Yet, she edged her body closer to Yun Che, her small hands gripping his palm tightly.

"I insisted on bringing Ling'er here because I wouldn't feel at ease with her anywhere but by my side," Yun Che said, standing beside him and whispering. "But please rest assured, Senior Su, even if it costs me my life, I will not let a single hair on Ling'er's head be harmed."

Su Hengshan gazed into Yun Che's eyes, momentarily stunned. Over decades of trials and tribulations, he had heard similar sentiments countless times, but none had ever moved him as profoundly as this. The declaration, "even if it costs me my life, I will not let a single hair on Ling'er's head be harmed," was not merely spoken by Yun Che; it emanated from his very will and soul. Looking into Yun Che's eyes and sensing the unwavering resolve in his voice, Su Hengshan believed with absolute certainty that if protecting Ling'er demanded his life, Yun Che would unhesitatingly choose to sacrifice himself.

Yun Che gently held Su Ling'er's hand, enveloped by a vague yet profound sense of responsibility, as if he were guarding his entire world.

Su Ling'er, in turn, clung tightly to him, nestled close. Even in front of her own father, she remained steadfastly by Yun Che's side, not rushing towards Su Hengshan. Her eyes conveyed concern for Yun Che, but notably, no fear—as if merely being by his side rendered her fearless.

Yun Che and his daughter had clearly only met that day. Su Hengshan couldn't comprehend why such a deep emotional connection had developed between them. He believed that even two individuals who had been inseparable for decades would struggle to achieve such unadulterated protection and reliance.

Could it truly be a bond ordained by fate?